Tuesday 12 May 2015 16:51, UK
Bob Willis has criticised the ECB for their handling of Kevin Pietersen, believing the former England batsman has been sent on a "wild goose chase" by the national side.
Pietersen, who cracked a brilliant 326no for Surrey on Monday, was then told at a meeting with new cricket director Andrew Strauss that he will not be selected for England again despite being encouraged to score runs in the County Championship if he wanted a return to the international scene.
Pietersen admitted after his innings at The Oval that he has had "differences" with Strauss in the past, but emphasised that he was a "good man" and spoke hopefully about his chances for a recall ahead of an Ashes summer.
But after having that dream dashed, Willis has sympathy for England's highest run-scorer.
"I don't often feel sorry for Kevin Pietersen but having been told by the chairman-elect to go and score runs in the County Championship if he wants to get back in the England side, Kevin's been sent on a wild goose chase," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's another case of the ECB shooting themselves in the foot. After the appalling way the Peter Moores sacking was handled, that he was the last to know, I think this is another faux pas by the ECB and they need to get their act together.
"It's incredible. He's getting one set of guides from the new chairman of the ECB and clearly the new director of cricket doesn't want him anywhere near the team.
"He's had his problems with Andrew Strauss, but differences have to be put aside when picking an England side. You don't have to like people you play alongside you have to manage them.
"But clearly the difference of opinion between Kevin and the people running England are so great it doesn't look like there is any way back for him, which is a great shame."
Read the full transcript of the interview Sky Sports' Tim Abraham conducted with Andrew Strauss at Lord's on Tuesday.
