Tuesday 12 May 2015 17:41, UK
Alec Stewart believes Kevin Pietersen is unfortunate not to receive a recall from England following his recent form for Surrey.
Stewart believes Pietersen may have been misled as the arrival of Colin Graves had appeared to open the door for a return to the England set-up.
He gave up his contract in the Indian Premier League and re-signed with Surrey, for whom he scored an undefeated triple-century against Leicestershire on Monday before meeting Strauss and ECB chief executive Tom Harrison on Monday evening.
He has given up a quarter of a million pound contract in the IPL., done what has been asked of him... and now the door has been shut.
England's new director of cricket Andrew Strauss ended his hopes of a recall for the immediate future when he told Sky Sports News HQ: "At the moment, we are quite estranged. I went to see him last night to let him know he's not part of our plans for the summer.”
Surrey coach Stewart has praised his contribution to his county but admits Strauss needs to be given the opportunity to make his own decisions.
'Accountable'
“I think he probably feels a little bit let down from the way he’s been talking after the incoming chairman Colin Graves’ comments six or seven weeks ago, where it was if you could play county cricket, if you could score runs, the slate would be wiped clean and you would be considered," he said.
“He has given up a quarter of a million pound contract in the IPL. He was done what has been asked of him and now unfortunately from Kevin’s point of view the door has been shut.
“I just believe England should be picking their best players and that includes Kevin Pietersen. At the same time it is vitally important the new man Andrew Strauss, who I have huge respect for, does his job properly and is fully accountable and lives by his decisions.
“We signed him because he’s a good player, he’s been good for us, good for young players, good in our dressing room and he helps us by scoring runs.”
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