KEVIN PIETERSEN is targeting a third hundred in as many championship games against Sussex - as a thank you to the Hampshire public.

After a winter spent being booed by hostile South African crowds, Pietersen was applauded by Rose Bowl spectators as he made his way to the crease for his Hampshire debut against Essex on Sunday.

Now he wants to thank the locals for their warm welcome by helping Hampshire win county cricket's south coast derby when he makes his championship debut against Sussex at Hove tomorrow.

South Africa-born Pietersen said: "That welcome made a nice change to the receptions I got every time I went out to bat for England in South Africa!

"I'd like to thank the Hampshire fans for that. It was disappointing that I missed a full toss and was out for five.

"But that was the first time I've batted since my last game for England in February and I didn't play any games in pre-season.

"I was just rusty, I'll soon get myself sorted - and Sussex are one of my better teams."

Pietersen averages 75.16 in his three championship matches against Sussex for Notts, and has scored hundreds in his last two games against Chris Adams's side.

At Horsham in May 2003 he thumped 166 from 136 balls and followed up with 139 from 188 balls at Trent Bridge two months later.

But Notts failed to win either of those games, despite Pietersen's heroics.

What he really wants is to score big runs in a winning cause after watching last week's thrilling 48-run win against Gloucestershire, which he missed with a foot injury.

He added: "It was a fantastic game against Gloucestershire and the boys played really well.

"I'm not usually a good watcher but I couldn't take my eyes off that match - I only missed half a day when I had to go to London for a scan on my foot.

"The spirit the boys showed was unbelievable. Warney's commitment is unbelievable, the never-say-die attitude in the dressing room is excellent, the boys never stopped believing in themselves, they gave 100 per cent right up until the last ball.

"That made sure we were always going to win."

Dimitri Mascarenhas has not recovered from his hamstring injury in time but captain Shane Warne has hinted that Shaun Udal will make his first championship appearance of the season at Hove tomorrow.