Kevin Pietersen hit the first triple century of his career to make a dramatic statement to England's selectors two months before the Ashes.

The 34-year-old reached the milestone for Surrey against Leicestershire, one day before new England director Andrew Strauss faces the media.

On Saturday, Strauss succeeded Paul Downton, who was instrumental in Pietersen's sacking in February 2014.

Pietersen is hoping to earn a recall against Australia in July and August.

The South Africa-born batsman, who was 35 not out overnight, reached his first County Championship century since June 2013 on the stroke of lunch.

Dropped four times as he peppered the boundaries at The Oval, he surged to his first double century since July 2012 from 276 balls after tea.

As Surrey supporters chanted "Are you watching, Andrew Strauss?", Pietersen went past his previous highest first-class score of 254 and reached 300 with his 12th six during an unbroken century partnership with Surrey number 11 Matthew Dunn.

It is the first triple hundred in any County Championship match since Michael Carberry for Hampshire against Yorkshire in August 2011.

Former England captain Strauss is expected to address the issue of Pietersen's future at a news conference at 12:00 BST on Tuesday.

In July 2014, he apologised for making an offensive remark about Pietersen during a live television broadcast.

Pietersen, England's highest international run scorer, was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the Ashes whitewash a year ago and accused of being "disengaged" from the team.

But when incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves gave him hope of a recall, the South Africa-born batsman decided to focus on winning a 105th Test cap rather than his lucrative Indian Premier League contract.

Pietersen's chances of a comeback have been further lifted by the dismissals of Downton and coach Peter Moores following a dismal performance at the World Cup.

Despite scoring 170 against Oxford MCCU, Pietersen had managed just 112 runs in four innings, with a high score of 53 not out, before his innings against Leicestershire.

Surrey's Division Two opponents have not won a Championship match for more than two years, though their attack does feature Australia one-day bowler Clint McKay and seamer Charlie Shreck, who has 490 first-class wickets to his name.

Pietersen's staggering innings took Surrey past the 500 mark in reply to Leicestershire's 292.
(BBC)