England called up South African-born Kevin Pietersen to their 15-man squad for the one-day series against South Africa on Friday.

The 24-year-old batsman, who played in England's one-dayers against Zimbabwe before Christmas, will fly out with the squad on Monday.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said in a statement: "We feel that it is prudent to add Kevin to the squad as the team face seven one-day internationals in 15 days following hard on the heels of an intensive Test series."

Pietersen, who has an English mother, has played four one-dayers for England and been dismissed just once, giving him an average of 104. Fearing he did not have a cricketing future in South Africa, he left in 2001 to join county side Nottinghamshire.

The one-day series begins on January 30, five days after the five-match Test series.