Pietersen comes up short during first audition for recall
KEVIN PIETERSEN’S mission to impress the England selectors got off to an inauspicious start as he made only 19 on the ground where he hopes to be appearing in the first Ashes Test this July.
The batsman scrapped his IPL contract and re-signed for Surrey in the belief that scoring runs in the county game would be enough to end his controversial England exile.
He made 177 against Yorkshire at Headingley on his last appearance in the County Championship almost two years ago but yesterday he was outshone by team-mates as Surrey reached 363 for three on the opening day of their Division Two game at Glamorgan.
Pietersen picked up a fourth boundary with a straight drive off Dean Cosker’s left-arm spin but his 28-ball stay ended when he pushed hard at Craig Meschede’s medium pace and Colin Ingram pouched a straightforward chance at first slip.
In his absence Kumar Sangakkara (112 not out) and Steven Davies (109 not out) anchored Surrey’s innings to give them a strong start in Cardiff.
Pietersen scored 170 for Surrey against Oxford MCCU last week and Davies believes his team-mate will be back on the international scene.
“Kevin missed out here but I’ve no doubt in my mind he will get the runs he needs to play for England again,” he said. “He’s been great at Surrey. He looked great last week on a tough wicket at Oxford.”
Of his partnership with former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara, Davies said: “He’s a hero of mine and to play alongside him is a great honour. It was a special day for me.”