Alastair Cook Threatened to Quit if Kevin Pietersen Returned: Reports

England Test skipper Alastair Cook was reportedly ready to step down if Kevin Pietersen was brought back into the England side, reports said on Thursday. Not just Cook, several functionaries in England and Wales Cricket Board were also "horrified" at the prospect of Pietersen's return.

"There are people who would absolutely have walked away rather than deal with Kevin again," a source was quoted as saying in the Mirror. "He has made life incredibly difficult for a large number of people over the years and the idea that he might be back horrified them." (KP's IPL Return Ruined by Calf Injury)

Andrew Strauss, England's new director of cricket, however dispelled any fear of a Pietersen recall, firmly shutting the door on the 34-year-old batting superstar. Former Test captain Strauss said he had a "massive trust deficit" with KP, thus ruling out an immediate return to the national team.

Pietersen, on his part, had slammed his maiden first-class triple hundred for Surrey. But his timely reminder made no impact. Cook's threat may have further spoilt chances of a Pietersen return. (Australian Cricketers Rejoice Pietersen Chaos)

Cook and Pietersen have for long shared an acrimonious relationship. After slamming Cook in his book, KP: The Autobiography, Pietersen had called him selfish for not talking up England's possibilities of winning the World Cup held in the Antipodes. Cook said Pietersen's autobiography tarnished the reputation of England cricket. (Pietersen Snub Indicates Lack of Trust in England Cricket)

Pietersen, who sacrificed a lucrative IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad to play for Surrey and win his England berth, was left shattered by the ECB snub.

"I am absolutely devastated that it looks like my hopes of an England recall have been brought to a close, especially given everything that has been said and asked of me," said Pietersen in a furious attack in his column for the Daily Telegraph newspaper.