Smith backs KP's story

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Graeme Smith has backed Kevin Pietersen's allegations about the culture of bullying in the old England camp.

Graeme Smith has backed Kevin Pietersen's allegations about the culture of bullying in the old England camp.

Pietersen's recently released autobiography claims that players were forced to apologise for misfield's and dropped catches during matches, creating an unfriendly atmosphere in the change rooms.

Meanwhile, Smith revealed that he was aware of the divisions in the English team and that his Protea side used it to their advantage.

"Some of the stuff he touches on [in Pietersen's book] I can believe and having played against him we always said if we could get a win and get ahead they would turn on each other," said the former South African skipper in an interview with <i>Highveld FM</i> on Thursday.

"A lot of the stuff he has touched on in his book, the bullying stuff, you experienced playing against them and you knew you could use it as an asset against them."

Despite their past differences, Smith believes it's a shame that the South African-born players' career was cut short somewhat by mismanagement.

"It's well documented that in the early days myself and Kevin didn't get on too well but that is behind us now," confirmed Smith.

"KP is a draw card and world cricket loves to watch him play the game. It is sad he is not playing international cricket anymore. English cricket are worse off without him and man-management is a big factor in why he is not there."

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