On Social Media, #StraussLogic Tears Into Andrew Strauss for Snubbing Kevin Pietersen

England cricket's new director Andrew Strauss may have created an entire army of adversaries just hours into his new role. On Tuesday, the former England captain said that trust was a major issue blocking Kevin Pietersen's return to the national team. His argument though sparked #StraussLogic to trend on social media - not because it had much merit but because most failed to see the actual logic behind it. (Related: Kevin Pietersen, England cricket are now estranged: Strauss)

#StraussLogic was the trending hashtag on Twitter with several cricketers joining fans at large in smashing Strauss for his views on Pietersen's return to international cricket. (Also read: Kevin Pietersen not part of England's plans for this summer, says Strauss)

"This is not about KP, it's about the future of English cricket. Trust is imperative in any team environment," Strauss had said in a press conference at Lord's on Tuesday. This after new ECB chairman Colin Graves had said Pietersen could return on the back of good knocks in County cricket. (Suggested read: Kevin Pietersen slaps maiden triple ton in county cricket)

Strauss' almost diametrically opposite views from Graves infuriated many, including former South Africa captain Graeme Smith. "I see the head boy is making English cricket the laughing stock again! #StraussLogic," Smith wrote on the micro-blogging site.

I see the head boy is making English cricket the laughing stock again! #StraussLogic

- Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) May 12, 2015

Another former captain - Michael Vaughan - was scathing in his attack against Strauss. "Anyone else struggling to explain to their 9 yr old that KP isn't allowed to play for England?" tweeted Vaughan. "Just pick your best available players and let's stop over complicating sport.... It's a game of Cricket .. Nothing more Nothing less...(sic)," he added.

"Anyone else struggling to explain to their 9 yr old that KP isn't allowed to play for Engl..." http://t.co/aDz4OudKmH

- Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 12, 2015

There were several other former cricketers and experts who openly showed their support for Pietersen after Strauss' comments.

Either @KP24 has committed an act of high treason or the #ECB are preventing the fans & stakeholders from seeing the best team on the field

- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 12, 2015

Wow ! On one hand I respect Strauss for making a ballsy decision on @KP24 however got to think he's made a very bad one , reasons please ?

- andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) May 11, 2015

Read that my old mate Strauss has said KP won't play for Eng, but offered him an advisory role to help Eng ? What the ? Serious ? #shambles

- Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 12, 2015

The attack was led though by supporters of Pietersen - England's leading all-time run-scorer across all formats. "What are they smoking over there at Lords?? #StraussLogic," tweeted one fan. "Strauss :"@KP24 is not in our short term plans." Yep, they plan to be mediocre long term I guess #StraussLogic #@piersmorgan," was another tweet seen on social media.

The rivalry between Strauss and Pietersen though is not new and may have only re-ignited on Tuesday. The two could not see eye-to-eye when playing as teammates for the national side.

In fact, it was alleged that Pietersen had sent text messages to South African players criticizing his captain during a 2012 series - a charge refuted by Pietersen in his autobiography.

While things went spiraling immediately after the incident, the two may still have a lot of bad blood remaining even if Strauss tried to project a 'professional approach' on Tuesday - one that may have backfired completely on social media.