Andrew Strauss: ‘Trust issues’ preventing Kevin Pietersen recall
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Updated 12/05/2015 at 12:00 GMT
New ECB director Andrew Strauss has ruled out an international recall for Kevin Pietersen this summer, saying a "massive trust issue" prevented the parties working together.
England's Kevin Pietersen reacts as he walks off the field
Image credit: Reuters
Strauss stressed in an interview with Sky Sports that picking Pietersen was "not in the short-term interests of the team".
He added that Pietersen was not banned from the squad, but an erosion of trust meant the mercurial batsman would not be handed an immediate recall – despite him posting an astonishing 326 runs (not out) for Surrey on Monday.
"Now is the time for some really open and honest conversation," Strauss said at Lord's Cricket Ground.
"He's been a phenomenal player for a long period of time (but) it's not about his ability as a player. It's about trust. You can't build that over a few days."
"I went to see him last night to let him know he is not part of our plans for this summer. I can't give him any guarantees about the future but he is not banned from the side because no-one knows what is going to happen in the future."
The decision ends any hopes Pietersen - who has posted 8,181 Test runs - had of competing in the next Ashes series with Australia, which runs between July and August.
He was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board in the aftermath of the 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia last year.
"The trust isn't there at the moment," Strauss continued. "I wish it wasn't the case but it is the case. If there's a way to build trust let's look at it... this isn't about Kevin Pietersen, it is about the future of English cricket.
"No-one has ever doubted Kevin Pietersen's ability as a player, he has been a phenomenal player for England over a long period of time and his record stacks up to anyone in England cricket and he should be very proud of that record.
"But over months and years the trust between himself and the ECB has eroded and we are in a situation now where there is a massive trust issue between Kevin and I.
"If there is a way to build trust let's look at it but at the moment we are quite estranged. I know from my time playing cricket for England that trust is absolutely imperative in any team environment."
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