Kevin Pietersen 'not trusted' to play for England says director of cricket Andrew Strauss

Kevin Pietersen's international future looks increasingly bleak after new director of cricket Andrew Strauss confirmed England's record run-scorer will not be selected this summer.

Pietersen, who was dropped by the England and Wales Cricket Board after the Ashes whitewash defeat to Australia and after releasing his forthright autobiography, has yet to earn a recall.

The 34-year-old joined Surrey for the 2015 season in the hope of winning a reprieve in time for the Ashes and recorded his highest first-class score of 355 not out against Leicestershire but Strauss has all but closed the door on the South African-born batsman.

"Over months and years the trust between the ECB and Kevin has eroded. We're at the point now where there is a massive trust issue between Kevin and I. I wish it wasn't the case.

"Because of that we have decided it is not in the best short-term interests of the side for him to be in that team. I spoke to him last night to tell him that he is not in our plans for the summer.

"I can't give him any guarantees about the future but he is not banned from the side, no one knows what is going to happen.

"We can't have a situation where Kevin Pietersen and the ECB do not trust each other. If there is a way to build trust then let's look at it.

"I know from playing cricket for England that trust is absolutely imperative going forward in any team environment.

"He's not barred from playing for England but I can't make any guarantees about this summer. This is about trust, that can't be built up over the course of a few days. I want to give everyone clarity."

Meanwhile, Strauss has given his full backing to Test captain Alastair Cook, despite his wretched run of form, while confirming Yorkshire chief Jason Gillespie is among the leading contenders to succeed Peter Moores as head coach.