Kevin Pietersen will play for his old Cricket Club, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa next month in a bid to get ready for the Ashes series this winter

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed last night that he has asked for permission to join the Club for two four day matches.

Pietersen, who is currently on loan to Surrey, but still without a county for 2011, was dropped from England’s limited over squad against Pakistan after a poor batting season this summer

He has made just one score over 50 in Test cricket, and has not scored a century since England’s tour of the Caribbean last March.

He made a century for Surrey in his second Clydesdale Bank 40 match, but was out for on a duck on Tuesday on his second ball.

"I'm extremely keen to get as much cricket as possible under my belt before a challenging and exciting winter," Pietersen said

"My sole focus is to continue playing a leading role for England and joining Natal is the perfect opportunity to prepare in excellent conditions immediately before the Ashes.

Pietersen has a limited amount of time to prove himself to the selectors before England head off to Australia at the end of October.