Surrey to keep 'sacked' Pietersen for 2014 season to play in 'revamped' T20s

English county side Surrey has announced that sacked national batsman Kevin Pietersen will remain with them for the 2014 season.

England controversially called time on their all-time leading run-scorer's international career last week, after he was omitted from the squads for the upcoming tour of the West Indies and the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.

According to Sport24, a statement by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that Pietersen had been axed for showing a 'lack of support' to captain Alastair Cook, although Surrey had no qualms in retaining the services of the former England captain for a revamped domestic Twenty20 season of 14 matches.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart, a strong supporter of Pietersen throughout the furore, hailed the new contract as 'good news' for the English domestic game where an expanding international schedule means leading England players are rarely seen on county duty.

Pietersen, whose stunning maiden Test century of 158 against Australia that secured England's 2005 Ashes win was made at The Oval, however said that he would also be available for the County Championship matches as well.

Expressing his delight at continuing his contract with Surrey, Pietersen also said that he is excited at the prospect of getting back playing in what he is hoping to be a brilliant summer at Surrey.