Wednesday 8 October 2014 09:47, UK
Kevin Pietersen has told Sky Sports News HQ he fears for the future of England captain Alastair Cook.
England's exiled record run-scorer sat down with Tim Abraham on Tuesday to discuss the fallout from the publication of his explosive autobiography.
The book details the breakdown in Pietersen's relationship with many of England's senior players, alleging a bullying regime policed by wicket-keeper Matt Prior was in place under coach Andy Flower.
Pietersen stands by those claims and says Prior's behaviour on last winter's Ashes tour was "embarrassing", but amid the recriminations elsewhere his respect for Cook's batting ability stands out.
And he now fears the ECB is jeopardising Cook's Test position by allowing him to continue as one-day captain.
Pietersen said: "He's got huge challenges, but as I've said in my book, I backed him and I always did back Alastair.
"I feel very sorry for him because he's in a very uncomfortable situation. To see his face when they sacked me, it wasn't good. He was sitting there so uncomfortable, staring at the floor. The ECB have put him in an unbelievably difficult position.
"He should have taken this winter away from one-day cricket and focused on Test cricket, because if England start losing in Sri Lanka, Cook's going to get it, lose in Australia, Cook's going to get it, lose in the World Cup, Cook's going to get it.
"He doesn't need it, he's got a young family, he could have an amazing family time this winter to prepare for the Test series, work on his game. He's got 25 hundreds, he's no mug, he's a brilliant batsman, one of England's greatest batsmen - he will be the best run scorer, but the ECB have put him in a very hard situation."
England play West Indies, New Zealand and Australia in home Test series in 2015 before going to South Africa in the winter, and Pietersen has not abandoned hope of playing some part - despite the opinion of former England captain Nasser Hussain that his international career is finished.
I feel very sorry for him because he's in a very uncomfortable situation. To see his face when they sacked me, it wasn't good.
He said: "I'm 34, anything can happen. I came to England as a 20-year-old as an off-spinner who batted a bit and ended up becoming England's greatest-ever run scorer, so far. Who would have thought that would happen? So I live in hope and you never know what might happen.
"Sport is very political - anything can change in the ECB in the next 12 months. There's a big, big 12 months of cricket coming up. New Zealand are a magnificent team at the moment, the Ashes, South Africa away. There could be a lot of change."
The ECB is yet to respond to any of Pietersen's claims, although a leaked report detailing his behaviour in Australia this winter alleges he called Cook weak and threatened to quit midway through the tour.
You can watch more from Kevin Pietersen's interview via the video link on this page or on our On Demand service.
