Kevin Pietersen's England Career Ended After ECB Snub

Kevin Pietersen's England career stands on the precipice after the England and Wales Cricket Board decided against selecting him for the one-day international and Twenty20 series against West Indies as well as the T20 World Cup.

A meeting between Ashley Giles, Alastair Cook, James Whitaker Paul Downton at Lord's on Tuesday has seen Pietersen omitted from the squad for the upcoming one-day fixtures, leaving his international future in serious doubt.

The latest casualty from England's dismal tour of Australia following the resignation of Test coach Andy Flower last week sees Pietersen banished from international cricket as one of the country's greatest ever batsman.

Pietersen said: "Playing cricket for my country has been an honour. Every time I pulled on the England shirt was a moment of huge pride for me and that is something that will live with me forever.

"Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I'm also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years.

"I feel extremely fortunate to have played at a time of great success for England cricket alongside some of the best cricketers the country has ever produced.

"I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support and I wish the team the very best of success going forward.

"I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer. I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won't be for England."

England cricket managing director Downton said: "Clearly this was a tough decision because Kevin has been such an outstanding player for England as the fact that he is the country's leading run scorer in international cricket demonstrates.

"However everyone was aware that there was a need to begin the long term planning after the Australia tour. Therefore we have decided the time is right to look to the future and start to rebuild not only the team but also team ethic and philosophy.

"England cricket owes a debt of gratitude to Kevin who has proved to be one of the most talented and exciting players to ever represent the country and his 13,797 runs are a testimony to his immense skill.

"This decision brings some clarity now for the future of the England teams and we all wish Kevin the very best in the rest of his career."

Pietersen has scored 23 career test-match centuries in 104 matches, a tenure with England that has included three Ashes series wins and a leading role in winning the T20 World Cup in 2010.

But his chequered career looks to have come to a definitive end despite having been reintegrated into the England team following the retirement of Andrew Strauss, with his relationship with captain Cook central to the decision.

One-day coach Giles, among the contenders to replace Flower as Test coach, has already suggested that the squad for the West Indies will be entirely made up of those players involved in the World Cup later in March meaning Pietersen's omissions sees him miss the tournament in Bangladesh.

Following the 5-0 Ashes whitewash by Australia - during which Pietersen was the highest scorer - he committed himself to helping England retain the urn in 2015 following a tour during which Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann quit prematurely.

Amid discussions regarding the future of the England team, Flower was reportedly keen to see Pietersen marginalised however the 33 year old's position was seemingly strengthened following the resignation of the Zimbabwean last Friday.

But the ECB have moved to all but end the international tenure of Pietersen, who is England highest batsman in all formats, with the South African-born right hander expected to submit himself for the Indian Premier League auction next week.