Kevin Pietersen 's advisers can try to conclude negotiations for a new contract at Surrey , as he seeks to reignite hopes of an England recall , after agreeing his Indian Premier League release . Pietersen was axed by England in February 2014 after their Ashes whitewash defeat in Australia , but is hoping for a still unlikely international return . He confirmed , on his website kevinpietersen.com , that he has taken another key step to that end by sealing his release from the majority of his IPL contract with the Sunrisers Hyderabad . Kevin Pietersen will have nine County Championship matches at the most to impress England 's selectors . He 's secured a released from Sunrisers Hyderabad to stake his claim for an England return in the Ashes . Pietersen said : '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 . They have nonetheless long been front-runners to re-sign him , but had no update on Tuesday to the situation as of a week ago when a spokesman said : 'We are still in discussions . ' Pietersen 's availability for all formats , as soon as possible , has appeared a starting point for his possible return to The Oval - and his presence at the start of the season , rather than spending six weeks at the IPL , is therefore a key development . 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 will miss the regular season in the IPL but could be summoned for the knockout stages . Imminent Surrey signing Pietersen says he will 'do everything in my power to earn a recall ' with England . 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 . 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 this summer 's Ashes rematch , beginning in July . Pietersen was axed by England following their 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia last winter . Pietersen in action for Surrey in the Natwest T20 Blast last summer . Pietersen started the year by playing more short form cricket for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash . It read : 'The four-time Ashes winner , who is also England 's highest ever run-scorer 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 in public remarks from other quarters - including ECB managing director Paul Downton and national selector James Whitaker . Pietersen , however , has said he will 'do anything ' to play for England again .
Sunrisers Hyderabad is set to sign with Surrey for the County Championship . His advisers will try to conclude negotiations on a new contract . He will have nine games to impress England selectors before the Ashes . KP has negotiated a released from Kevin Pietersen in the IPL . But the batsman can still be called up for the Indian team 's finals series . Pietersen was axed by England in February 2014 following Ashes debacle .