ECB insists there is no way back for Pietersen

England

According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the possibility of England recalling Kevin Pietersen back to the fold is none, even though Alistair Cook was sacked as ODI skipper for the World Cup.

Pietersen's international career was ended earlier this year, when it was thought that he undermined Cook's captaincy on the last Ashes tour to Australia, which England lost 5-0.

ECB managing director, Paul Downton has confirmed that even though Cook was replaced as ODI captain by Pietersen's good friend, Eoin Morgan, there was no way back into the English set-up.

Downton explained: "We parted company with Kevin in January because throughout the ECB management, from the dressing room up to the board, it was felt that it was the right decision to go in a slightly different direction."

Pietersen, who is currently playing in the Australian T20 Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars, also launched his autobiography in October, which included several attacks on the ECB and also made him fall-out with a few former team-mates.

Downton continued: "If anything more bridges have been burnt by Kevin's book. There is no interest from our point of view in going backwards.

"We've got an exciting group of young players and Eoin's excited to be working with those guys. He wants to fulfil that team's potential."

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