Kevin Pietersen will have a point to prove with Surrey this summer after being unceremoniously dumped by England, his long-time mentor and the county's new head coach believes.

The 33-year-old former Hampshire player is England's record run scorer but was dumped after the Ashes whitewash in Australia, bringing his vaunted international career to a close.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has not disclosed the full reasons for the parting of ways, with rumours of dressing-room fallouts and distrust, but Surrey expect only to benefit from Pietersen's input.

Graham Ford, recruited by director of cricket Alec Stewart over the winter, has known Pietersen since he was a schoolboy in South Africa and expects a response.

''He's a good enough player to prove a point in any format,'' Ford said.

''He'll certainly entertain and it will be great for the fans to come down and have a look at him and see just how good he is.

''Unfortunately he's got to move on from international cricket.

''The news was surprising. I don't really know what went on, but I have known Kevin for a long time and I've always found him to be a very positive individual and I'm sure he's going to be extremely positive in our dressing room.''