CRICKET star Kevin Pietersen has praised Taunton as he announced his return to Twenty20 - which will include a match at the Cooper Associates County Ground

The batsman has resigned for Surrey for the Twenty20 Blast this summer, with the Lions set to visit Somerset on Sunday, August 6.

Speaking to Talksport yesterday, the 36-year-old said he was looking forward to returning to Somerset.

"Playing at The Oval is a dream, it's a pleasure," he said. "Then there's other grounds.

"I know Taunton is a brilliant ground.

"I've enjoyed some wonderful success and had some wonderful times down at Taunton on the cricket field there."

Somerset's TWenty20 Blast fixtures are:

July 9 – Surrey v Somerset
July 13 – Essex Eagles v Somerset
July 15 – Glamorgan v Somerset
July 16 – Middlesex v Somerset
July 21 – Somerset v Gloucestershire
July 23 – Somerset v Middlesex
July 26 – Somerset v Hampshire
July 27 – Kent Spitfires v Somerset
July 30 – Somerset v Sussex Sharks
August 4 – Gloucestershire v Somerset
August 6 – Somerset v Surrey
August 12 – Somerset v Kent Spitfires
August 13 – Somerset v Glamorgan
August 18 – Hampshire v Somerset