KENT are believed to be in the running to sign England's surprise tour selection Kevin Pietersen in an audacious bid to prise the off-spinning all-rounder away from Trent Bridge.

The 24-year-old from Pietermaritzburg completed his four-year international qualification this month and, on Tuesday, was duly named in England’s 14-man party to tour Zimbawe and Namibia starting on November 21.

Pietersen, who was subject to an approach from Kent last spring in the build up to Mark Ealham’s move to Nottinghamshire, is known to be considering his options having come to the end of his existing Nottinghamshire deal.

A South African by birth with an English mother, Pietersen has been offered a new three-year deal to keep him in the East Midlands, but Kent and Surrey are thought to have tabled 28-day approach letters to talk to the player.

However, wise money close to the Trent Bridge camp will be placed on Pietersen staying put.

With England ambitions achieved and just around the corner and Nottinghamshire set to compete in top divisions of four-day and limited overs’ cricket next summer, it would seemingly take a hefty pay packet to snatch the tall right-hander away from Nottinghamshire.

Pietersen scored 965 runs at an average of 53.61 in his 14 first-class appearances for Nottinghamshire this summer and also took 16 catches, but his off-spin was generally disappointing and led to just seven wickets at a cost of 52 apiece.

Should Kent pull off the Pietersen coup it would leave the county top-heavy with five spinners on their staff, a move that may yet leave Min Patel and Alex Loudon (who are both out of contract) susceptible, or rookies James Tredwell and Rob Ferley looking over their shoulders.