Pietersen ducks out for Surrey

England outcast Kevin Pietersen was dismissed for a first-ball duck on his return to competitive cricket on Sunday.

Pietersen lined up for Surrey against former side Hampshire in the Clydesdale Bank 40, his first outing since being left out of England's third Investec Test against South Africa at Lord's.

All eyes were on the 32-year-old at the Ageas Bowl and he came in to a mixed reception after opener Rory Hamilton-Brown was dismissed by Liam Dawson in the fifth over.

Pietersen has shown a weakness against slow left-armers in the past and it was to prove his undoing once more as he was bowled pushing forward to Dawson off his first delivery.

A great cheer rang around the ground following the dismissal, although that may have had more to do with his acrimonious departure from Hampshire in 2010.

Pietersen has been involved in a stand-off with the England and Wales Cricket Board. He initially retired from limited-overs cricket and hinted at qutting the Test arena too before performing a U-turn and announcing he wanted to play in all formats for his adopted country.

However, he still faces questions over text messages he sent to members of the South African team during the second Test at Headingley.

It was reported today one of the texts described England captain Andrew Strauss in offensive terms and that he also offered advice to the South Africans on how to dismiss the skipper.

It is believed Pietersen and Strauss will meet following the conclusion of the third Test at Lord's.

Pietersen's camp would not comment on the content of the texts this morning, but former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Lord MacLaurin said he fears the former Nottinghamshire batsman could have played his final game for England if the reports are proven to be accurate.

Pietersen has apologised to England for the texts but has not divulged their specific content, and it is thought his international career will remain on hold until negotiations with the ECB are concluded.