Surrey opt to end season without Pietersen

England

Surrey have decided against playing Kevin Pietersen in their final County Championship matches, opting to give youngsters a place in the side with a view to next season, rather than use the former England player.

Surrey have decided against playing Kevin Pietersen in their final County Championship matches, opting to give youngsters a place in the side with a view to next season, rather than use the former England player.

Pietersen has not played a four-day match for Surrey this season, and has only played T20 cricket since his retirement from England at the start of the year. His contract with Surrey is at an end after the season, having joined them in 2011.

As such, the London-based side have decided to focus on the future, given they are third in Division Two and unlikely to get promoted, what with only two games to play. Pietersen's form recently has not warranted a place either, with a top score of 39 in his past 10 knocks.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart explained on the club's website: "We discussed it, (head coach) Graham Ford and myself, the possibility of bringing Kevin in, but realistically, we've got just an outside chance of promotion.

"So it's better for the future of the club if we give the likes of an Aneesh Kapil or Arun Harinath two first-class games to gain more experience to see how they can progress – which will stand us in good stead for next season."

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