8 Feb 2014

England selectors gagged over Pietersen

6:04 am on 8 February 2014

England cricket's national selector James Whitaker has refused to reveal why Kevin Pietersen's international career had been cut short, citing legal reasons.

Whitaker, in his first public appearance since replacing Geoff Miller as England's selection head, is the first member of the England and Wales Cricket Board hierarchy to comment since a carefully-worded statement earlier this week signalled the end of Pietersen's time in the international game.

The ECB has been widely criticised by the likes of England great Ian Botham for failing to provide a specific reason as to why Pietersen, England's leading run scorer across all international formats, had been let go.

Asked about Pietersen's England situation, Whitaker said he wasn't at liberty to say because of legal considerations.