KEVIN PIETERSEN is expected to make his debut for Hampshire on Monday, when Paul Terry's side play the first of four pre-season friendlies in five days.

England star Pietersen is expected to play against Essex at Chelmsford as Hampshire warm up for the season's opener, against Gloucestershire in the county championship at the Rose Bowl, on Wednesday, April 13.

Hampshire travel to Canterbury for another one-day friendly against Kent on Tuesday and, after playing Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, they take on Northants at Northampton on Friday.

Dimitri Mascarenhas is expected to arrive from Australia today, new signing Sean Ervine will arrive with overseas player Simon Katich on Tuesday, and captain Shane Warne flies in next weekend.

Manager: Paul Terry said: "As a group we just want to keep on improving, win as many games as we can and get in a position to challenge. We enjoyed last year, we played some really good cricket. We've got some guys in the squad who haven't had much experience but we also have players who have played a fair bit of cricket together.

"We've got a pretty good balance, and when you add Katich and Warney it will look even better."

Hampshire (from): Adams, Brown, Kenway, Crawley, Pietersen, Lamb, Benham, Udal, Pothas, Tremlett, Logan, Taylor, Bruce.