Pietersen 'confident' ahead of Ashes

Kevin Pietersen has said he is 'confident' ahead of the Ashes after returning from a short stint playing first-class cricket in South Africa.

Pietersen has not made a Test century since March 2009 and was dropped from the England one-day side at the end of last season. In an attempt to regain form, he played for Surrey on loan and went to South Africa to play for Kwazulu Natal Dolphins. In his only two first-class innings he did little to counter the suggestion that he is short of form, scoring 36 and a second-ball duck.

Despite the low scores, he told BBC Sport: "I felt brilliant in South Africa. I'm full of confidence going to Australia. It was amazing to be out there and to work with Graham Ford, a guy I've worked with since I was seven years old, a good family friend. It was also good to go and face the Kookaburra ball and bat in the sunshine."

Pietersen is one of seven survivors from England's horrendous last Ashes tour in 2006/07, where they were thrashed 5-0, and he believes that experience can hold him, and the rest of the side, in good stead as they look for their first series win in Australia since 1986-87.

"There were a few of us involved in that, so we've handed over some sort of knowledge as to how we want to try and do better and be better prepared for what is thrown at us this winter and I'm sure we will do."

Despite coming under fire from Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who described Pietersen as "a big question mark" facing England, Pietersen was generous in his praise for the Australian captain who's place at the helm of the national side was questioned after Australia lost 2-0 to India.

"Ponting is a great player and one of the greats of the game, when he feels it's his time [to retire], then he calls it time."