Wednesday 8 October 2014 06:23, UK
Kevin Pietersen has rejected accusations his book is a "work of fiction" and revealed he still gets messages from current players asking for advice on how to play certain bowlers.
Speaking to Tim Abraham on Sky Sports News HQ, Pietersen said he was proud of his autobiography, in which he accuses Matt Prior of being a prime culprit in a “bullying culture” in the England dressing room under former director of cricket Andy Flower.
Graeme Swann claimed on Monday evening the book was "the biggest work of fiction since Jules Verne".
But Pietersen said: "I stand by everything. I haven't written a book of fiction, it's based on facts and I'm incredibly proud of what I've written."
Prior was reported to be the main peacemaker in Pietersen's reintegration into the England team following the textgate scandal in 2011, but Pietersen was unremitting in his criticism of the England wicketkeeper's behaviour during the Ashes whitewash last winter.
I wouldn't have made the allegations if there was no basis to prove they were right. It's sad, really sad. I've had the most incredible journey with English cricket. It's been fantastic. I would have loved my book to be more about cricket.
"He was portrayed to be the peacemaker, but he was embarrassing in Australia. He didn't help himself with the way he conducted himself and manipulated the dressing room.
"I've drawn this horrible stigma that has been attached to me about being selfish, about being Billy Big-Shot - when I look around the dressing room I just think if there was a podium for egos, I wouldn't be on the podium. That's why I needed to put the record straight."
Pietersen said Flower never made him feel welcome in the dressing room, adding: "We just didn't get on - he made me feel ostracised, he didn't like me from day dot.
"It's a sad way to end a career, because I've had an amazing career. I've played with some brilliant players. It makes me happy to see the young players doing so well this summer. I had the opportunity to work with these guys, help them, make them better players - spending time with Rooty (Joe Root) on his first tour in India - hours I spent helping him play spin.
"In Australia I spent time helping the bowlers with their technique - the bowlers were saying to me 'we don't have a technique here, we just get told to score runs and we don't know how', so I spent hours in Alice Springs helping them - that's the stuff I love."
"I get messages the night before internationals saying 'how should I play this guy?'. I'm lying on my sofa at home and the sad thing is I'd love to batting with that guy the next day, be in the dressing room talking about it because I would still add value. That's what I miss the most.
"I wouldn't have made the allegations if there was no basis to prove they were right. It's sad, really sad. I've had the most incredible journey with English cricket. I have to be thankful to the ECB for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level, to live the dream, to achieve some amazing things. It's been fantastic. I would have loved my book to be more about cricket.
"Anybody who loves English cricket is probably in a dark place right now, because it's not a good place to be."
