Kevin Pietersen was dropped following reports he sent text messages to several South Africa players during the second Test at Headingley that were believed to contain derogatory comments about English captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower © Getty Images
London: Aug 17 2012
Kevin Pietersen, who was dropped from the ongoing England squad for the third Test against South Africa at the Lord’s, will turn up for his country team Surrey.
The former England captain would be in their squad to play against his former county Hampshire, a Surrey spokesman confirmed to Telegraph.co.uk.
The 32-year-old was dropped after the controversial batsman was caught up in a text message row.
England's selectors made their decision to axe Pietersen following reports he sent text messages to several South Africa players during the second Test at Headingley that were believed to contain derogatory comments about English captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.
Jonny Bairstow has been selected in place of Pietersen, whose involvement in the final Test at Lord's, which England must win to draw the series and retain their place on top of the world rankings, had been in doubt throughout a dramatic week.
South Africa-born Pietersen suggested after the second Test that he might walk away from the sport at the end of the current series because he had grown disillusioned with what he perceived as problems in the England squad.
But he appeared to have a change of heart when he posted a video on YouTube in which he agreed to make himself available again for his adopted country in all formats after recently opting out of one-day action.
That wasn't enough to convince the selectors though, who remained furious about the texting controversy, and Pietersen's international career now looks in tatters.
