Kevin Pietersen is set to make a return to domestic cricket in his native South Africa next month as he seeks to find form ahead of this winter's Ashes tour.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday that the 30-year-old right-hander, who was dropped for the current limited-overs series against Pakistan, has asked for permission to join the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins for two four-day matches.
If granted, Pietersen would also have to await clearance from Cricket South Africa to join the province he first made his domestic debut for over a decade ago.
"I'm extremely keen to get as much cricket as possible under my belt before a challenging and exciting winter," Pietersen said in a statement released by the ECB.
"My sole focus is to continue playing a leading role for England and joining Natal is the perfect opportunity to prepare in excellent conditions immediately before the Ashes.
"These two matches would enable me to work on my game against the Kookaburra ball in southern hemisphere conditions which is the ideal preparation for Australia."
Pietersen's request comes just a week after England coach Andy Flower omitted the right-hander from the limited overs squad to give him the chance to play four-day cricket at county level.
Pietersen was loaned to Surrey but after making a century in his second Clydesdale Bank 40 match, he was out for a second-ball duck on his four-day debut with the county on Wednesday.
The Natal-born batsman made just one score over 50 in Test cricket this summer and has not scored a century since the tour of the Caribbean last March.
"We're very pleased Kevin is seeking to get some more high quality cricket in at a crucial period before the Ashes," England coach Andy Flower said.
"We are well aware of Kevin's attention to detail and thoroughness when it comes to preparation and he would gain a great deal from working on his batting against tough opposition in South Africa.
"Kevin's commitment and desire to work on his batting and play a significant part in a successful England team is unquestioned and this proposed arrangement with Natal, initiated by Kevin himself, further underlines that."