KP returns with golden duck

Kevin Pietersen was dismissed first ball on his return to competitive cricket as Hampshire beat Surrey by four wickets.

Hampshire crowd enjoy batsman's early exit

Kevin Pietersen was dismissed first ball on his return to competitive cricket as Hampshire beat Surrey by four wickets in their CB40 clash at Southampton. Pietersen was playing for the first time since being dropped from the England Test team for sending "provocative" texts to members of the South Africa team. All eyes were on the 32-year-old in Southampton and he came in to a mixed reception after opener Rory Hamilton-Brown was out to spinner Liam Dawson in the fifth over. Pietersen has historically had 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 huge cheer rang around the ground following the dismissal, although that may have had more to do with his acrimonious departure from Hampshire in 2010. Surrey got off to a wretched start, crumbling to 38-4, with Pietersen the second to fall. Matthew Spriegel (47) and Zander de Bruyn led a Surrey rally, adding 94 to ensure the visitors would post a competitive total. Zafar Ansari added a rapid 30 as Surrey posted 175-9, and Hampshire lost the in-form James Vince quickly, run out by Rory Hamilton-Brown for two. Michael Carberry, making his return to the Hampshire team after two months out for injury, anchored the innings with a patient 54 off 94 balls. Jimmy Adams (22) and Neil McKenzie (38) helped the opener forge stands of 44 and 79 to get the hosts close. There was a late clatter of wickets but Sean Ervine (14 not out) and Matthew Bates (13 not out) got Hampshire over the line with 11 balls to spare and they remain favourites for a semi-final spot in Group B.