Kevin Pietersen expects Shane Bond to blow away county opposition.

The England star will play his first Championship match for three years when he lines up against Somerset at Taunton from May 7-10.

And he cannot wait to have Bond on his side, having enjoyed a fascinating battle against the Kiwi during last year's Twenty20 World Cup.

Pietersen said: "Shane Bond's one of the fastest bowlers in the world, he swings the ball in, which is very different to most fast bowlers who shape the ball away.

"His strike rate is right up there with the best that have played the game in Test and one-day cricket so it's a great plus for us to get hold of such a great bowler.

"I know he has not played a load of Test matches but he has got his wickets at a heck of a rate so we're all very excited to see how he goes."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.