Tuesday 1 April 2014 17:52, UK
Three former England stars will link up with Kevin Pietersen in this week's Caribbean Premier League draft.
Simon Jones, Owais Shah and Dimitri Mascarenhas have been nominated for Thursday's ballot which includes Pietersen as one of the most high-profile names on offer.
The six-franchise competition, which begins its second season in July, is the latest Twenty20 competition to attract the world's star players - past and present - with Kumar Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle lined up to feature.
Former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard, returning to coach the St Lucia Zouks, was instrumental in helping to persuade 2005 Ashes-winner Jones to sign up for the lucrative tournament.
"I've got fond memories of playing in the Caribbean for England, and Matthew
Maynard has told me very good things about last year's tournament," said Jones who was released by his county Glamorgan in October.
"I still feel I've got a lot to offer in the shortest form of the game and I'd love to sample the unique atmosphere of the CPL."
Following his axing after England's miserable Ashes tour in the winter, Pietersen has been free to choose where he plays around the world.
The South Africa-born batsman is already signed up to play and captain the Delhi Daredevils when the Indian Premier League begins later this month, while he is set to appear for Surrey in the newly-badged Twenty20 Blast in England.
A clause in his Surrey contract allowed Pietersen to accept an approach to play in the CPL, with some reports that he would be ready to commute between the Caribbean and England for matches.
Pietersen has stated that he would be available for Surrey whenever required, writing on Twitter: "I will be fulfilling ALL my @surreycricket commitments and
just flying into the Caribbean to honour this opportunity..."
With the IPL to begin in the United Arab Emirates, before returning to India after the country's elections, Pietersen is set for a hectic lifestyle as he pursues his passions in the shorter format of cricket.
He added on Twitter: "April - Dubai, May - India, June/July - London, Aug - Caribbean, Sept - London, Oct - Africa. Pretty chuffed with my summer!"
The Chris Gayle-led Jamaica Tallawahs, who will be coached by former Australia coach Mickey Arthur, won the inaugural CPL last year.
