Kevin Pietersen raring to go

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that he is feeling refreshed and raring to go ahead of the first Test against South Africa later this month.

The 32-year-old retired from international one-day cricket in May and he believes that the decision has set him up well for the "huge" series.

He told BBC Sport: "I am feeling absolutely brilliant. I loved the opportunity to take myself out of a busy schedule and spend some quality time with my family.

"I kept myself fit and now it's a case of getting myself mentally tuned in for a Test series that's going to be huge. It's number one vs. number two so it's going to be a massive series.

"England have been winning in one-day cricket which has been great as well."

The three-match Test series begins on July 19 at The Oval.