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KEVIN Pietersen marked his comeback from injury with a near run-a-ball century for Surrey and finishing on 177 at Headingley.
In his first innings since March, Pietersen confirmed form and fitness emphatically with a century from just 106 balls on day three of the rain-affected LV= County Championship match against Yorkshire. The controversial batsman has been out of action since leaving England’s tour of New Zealand with a knee injury, missing the return series and the Champions Trophy.
He eventually finished on 177 not out in a total of 353 for seven declared.
England managing director Hugh Morris is confident Pietersen will be ready to face Australia in the first Test at Trent Bridge.
Morris told BBC Radio Five’s Sportsweek programme: “It’s very encouraging that Kevin is back playing again. I know he’s worked very hard in practice on preparation and on his fitness. He looks very fit.
“Clearly it’s important that he gets some cricket under his belt before the selectors actually sit down and pick the first Ashes squad.
“We’ve got a few weeks yet and he’s got this four-day game and he’s in our Twenty20 squad for New Zealand and we’ve got a game against Essex leading into the Ashes, so there is some cricket left, which is encouraging.”
The Ashes begin at Trent Bridge on July 10.(PA Sport)
In his first innings since March, Pietersen confirmed form and fitness emphatically with a century from just 106 balls on day three of the rain-affected LV= County Championship match against Yorkshire. The controversial batsman has been out of action since leaving England’s tour of New Zealand with a knee injury, missing the return series and the Champions Trophy.
He eventually finished on 177 not out in a total of 353 for seven declared.
England managing director Hugh Morris is confident Pietersen will be ready to face Australia in the first Test at Trent Bridge.
Morris told BBC Radio Five’s Sportsweek programme: “It’s very encouraging that Kevin is back playing again. I know he’s worked very hard in practice on preparation and on his fitness. He looks very fit.
“Clearly it’s important that he gets some cricket under his belt before the selectors actually sit down and pick the first Ashes squad.
“We’ve got a few weeks yet and he’s got this four-day game and he’s in our Twenty20 squad for New Zealand and we’ve got a game against Essex leading into the Ashes, so there is some cricket left, which is encouraging.”
The Ashes begin at Trent Bridge on July 10.(PA Sport)
