Surrey coach backs 'sacked' Pietersen to 'prove a point' in county games this summer

Former South African cricketer and new head coach of Surrey, Graham Ford has said that sacked England batsman Kevin Pietersen is a good enough player to 'prove a point' in any format.

The former England batsman, who was told to leave after England's 5-0 Ashes whitewash by Australia, will return to the county game this summer after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he will captain the Delhi Daredevils.

According to the BBC, Ford, who was recruited by Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart during the close season, has known Pietersen since he was a boy in South Africa and backed him to 'prove a point' in any format, adding that he believes Pietersen will be extremely positive in their dressing room.

Ford also said that it is necessary for Pietersen to move on from international cricket, adding that he is confident that Pietersen will entertain the fans in the county season.

England's record run-scorer wills this year be able to compete in a full IPL season for the first time, having previously been restricted by international commitments, the report added.