Kevin Pietersen has agreed a release from his Indian Premier League contract as he seeks a new deal with Surrey to try to reignite his hopes of an England recall . Pietersen was axed by England in February 2014 after their whitewash in Australia , but is hoping for a still unlikely international return in time for this summer 's Ashes rematch . He confirmed , on his website kevinpietersen.com that he has taken another key step to that end by agreeing a release from the majority of his contract with the Sunrisers Hyderabad . Kevin Pietersen 's plans to return to county cricket with Surrey have moved a significant step closer . Pietersen said : ' I 'm hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I 've received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL . 'My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England , and I 'm absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible . ' Surrey de-registered Pietersen at the end of last season but have nonetheless long been front-runners to re-sign him . His availability for all formats , as soon as possible , has appeared a starting point for that to happen - and Pietersen 's presence in early season , rather than spending six weeks at the IPL , is therefore a key development . Pietersen plays a shot on the second day of the Ashes series between England and Australia last year . New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves this month revived the record-breaking 34-year-old batsman 's hopes of a return to the fold , contrary to the public remarks by anyone else associated with the governing body . But a pre-requisite from Graves was that Pietersen must first of all find a way back into county cricket - and then , of course , start scoring runs again . Pietersen may still be recalled by the Sunrisers for just a one-week period , should they qualify for the IPL knockout stages between May 19 and May 24 . That , however , ought not to be an insurmountable problem for any county interested in securing his services . Pietersen bats for Melbourne Stars during the Big Bash League semi-final match against the Perth Scorchers . He added : ' I 've never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England , and I 'm going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up . 'To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour , but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection . ' A statement on his website spelled out Pietersen 's next move - without specifying Surrey as his immediate destination - and that he has his heart set on an England return in time for the start of the Ashes in July . Pietersen was involved in a high-profile dispute with England coach Peter Moores back in 2009 . It read : 'The four-time Ashes winner , who is also England 's highest ever runscorer in all formats , will ... join a domestic county with the aim of earning a place in the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series . ' Pietersen quickly made it clear at the start of this month that he was delighted to take Graves at his word , that the slate will be wiped clean for all under his tenure , and he has since confirmed he has already spoken to the incoming chairman on the telephone . The controversial South Africa-born batsman has received little encouragement yet from other quarters . Former England star Pietersen previously rubbished claims suggesting his best days are behind him . ECB managing director Paul Downton pinpointed Pietersen 's 'disengagement ' with his team-mates during his last Test match to date - the defeat in Sydney which consigned England to their 5-0 2013/14 Ashes whitewash . Downton has not shifted from that in the intervening months . When England announced their squad last week , to travel under Alastair Cook and without Pietersen for three Tests in the West Indies , national selector James Whitaker repeated many times that he is simply 'not part of our plans ' . Pietersen , however , has said he will 'do anything ' to play for England again .
Kevin Pietersen sought release from his Indian Premier League contract . The 34-year - old is reportedly filling in on Surrey country cricket return . Pietersen was axed by England in march 2014 after extensive whitewash . negotiations for his return to The Oval will be concluded shortly . CLICK HERE for all the latest county cricket fixtures .