After Snub, Andrew Strauss Says England Team Doesn't Trust Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen will not play for England this summer. Former Test captain and England's newly-appointed director of cricket Andrew Strauss told the media at Lord's Tuesday afternoon.

Pietersen was hoping that his undefeated 326 for Surrey in a County match against Leicestershire will resurrect his England career. Although he won the backing of former captains Michael Vaughan, Bob Willis and Alec Stewart, Strauss made it clear that the batting star was a misfit. (Kevin Pietersen slams sensational triple ton)

Pietersen's ability as a cricketer has never been in question but the 34-year-old superstar's larger-than-the-team attitude has been counterproductive. Current captain Alastair Cook and a few senior players have not been KP's best friends.

Speaking at his first media conference, Strauss said: "No one has ever had any doubts about his capabilities as a player. But we can't have a situation where the ECB and Kevin don't trust each other. Everyone knows there is no trust out here. At the moment we're quite estranged.

"This is not about KP, it's about the future of English cricket. Trust is imperative in any team environment. My job is to look to the future of English cricket and develop a side capable of winning tournaments over the next four years.

"He is not barred from playing for England but he is not part of our plans for this summer. No one is doubting his ability. His record stacks up and he should be proud of that.

"But over months and years the trust has eroded between him and the ECB and there is a massive trust issue between he and I. I'm not blaming any one side for that. But because of that we have decided it is not in the best short-term interest of the side for him not to be in the team."

Pietersen last played for England in the final Test of a 5-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia in January 2014. He was sacked a month later and in October released an autobiography slamming several players, saying there was a "bullying culture" in the squad.

Strauss confirmed that Cook will lead England in the Ashes and Joe Root is the team's new Test vice-captain. Eoin Morgan will remain the ODI skipper in spite of failing horribly in the World Cup.