England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that he is feeling refreshed and raring to go ahead of the first Test against South Africa later this month.
The 32-year-old retired from international one-day cricket in May and he believes that the decision has set him up well for the "huge" series.
He told BBC Sport: "I am feeling absolutely brilliant. I loved the opportunity to take myself out of a busy schedule and spend some quality time with my family.
"I kept myself fit and now it's a case of getting myself mentally tuned in for a Test series that's going to be huge. It's number one vs. number two so it's going to be a massive series.
"England have been winning in one-day cricket which has been great as well."
The three-match Test series begins on July 19 at The Oval.
