DARREN GOUGH makes no secret of the fact he'll always be the first man into bat for Kevin Pietersen.

England's ninth most successful wicket taker of all-time is a loyal friend of the controversial batsman and was best man at his wedding.

Pietersen has rejoined Surrey in a last-ditch bid to earn his place in England's Ashes squad this summer - and all eyes will be on Cardiff for the start of his campaign against Glamorgan in just over a fortnight.

Gough, though, believes there is still only a slim chance of his friend adding to his tally of 104 Test match appearances.

"I would say it's a pretty small percentage chance of seeing Kevin playing for England again," said Gough, who is taking part in the second Investec Ashes Cycle Challenge in July.

It aims to raise funds for the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity.

The inaugural event raised more than £280,000 for the Taverners and other charities in 2013 "It requires England's batsman to fail in the West Indies and then again against New Zealand, which is obviously something no England fan wants,” said Gough.

"The new ECB chairman has given Kevin a lifeline and he's got to make the runs now and put the pressure on.

"Good luck to him. If the others fail and he scores hundred after hundred, which I think he would have to do, the dream might just come true for him, but realistically I would say the door is shut.

"If Kevin isn’t selected for the first Test against Australia then he will probably disappear to the Caribbean Premier League and that will be that.

"I have huge respect for him for pulling out of a big money deal in the Indian Premier League to give it a shot. It shows just how much he wants it.

Pietersen and current England coach Peter Moores have a fractious relationship, but even proud Yorkshireman Gough believes the former Lancashire coach must be give a bit more time - despite last month's World Cup horror show.

Moores admits he's a man under pressure ahead of the three Test series in the Caribbean, which starts in Antigua in just under two weeks.

“He knows what he is doing, but his personality is more about percentages," added Gough. "He gets a lot of stick about stats but every team uses stats."

While England toil this summer, Gough has other plans as he competes in the Investec Challenge.

He will lead a cricketing peleton as they cycle between England's Test match grounds over four days this summer.

"I'm OK on a motorbike but a bike is going to be a big challenge," said Gough.

"We are hoping to raise enough funds to buy five minibuses that can be used to help disadvantaged and disabled children get into sport.

"I’ve always liked a challenge and, when it’s raising money for a wonderful cause, you want to get involved."

To support Goughie's fund-raising efforts, visit lordstaverners.org/ashescycle and keep up with the team’s progress by following @LordsTaverners and @Investecwin – to donate text VELO15 £5 or £10 to 70070.