Pietersen’s autobiography is out this week.
Kevin Pietersen has claimed that there was a “culture of bullying” within the England team during the final years of his international career and has slammed former teammate Matt Prior, calling the wicket-keeper “a disruptive influence.”
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The 34-year-old made his claims in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the first time he has spoken publicly about the final days of his England career since his contract was terminated in February.
The interview took place ahead of the publication of Pietersen’s autobiography on Thursday.
The ECB have said that it is “impossible” for them to comment on the book as they haven’t seen it.
While Pietersen is expected to be critical of a wide range of people in his book, during the interview he took aim at Matt Prior, who he claims ran a culture of bullying within the England side where fielders would be forced to apologise to their teammates for dropping catches or making basic errors.
“Horrendous. Hugely disturbing,” Pietersen says. “I brought it up. All throughout my reintegration meetings [following messages sent to the opposition in 2012], I brought it up on numerous occasions. I told [Andrew] Strauss about it, I told Cook about it. It was a huge thing.”
Former England coach Andy Flower was also in Pietersen’s sights, with the former Nottinghamshire batsman claiming the Zimbabwean “ruled by fear” in Australia.
“I’ve been one of the only ones who’ve constantly through his reign as coach not said ‘how high?’ when he said ‘jump’. He built a regime, he didn’t build a team. I’ve told him this before. I told him during his coaching reign. I told him on numerous occasions: ‘You’re playing by fear here, you want guys to be scared of you. And Andy I’m not scared of you.’ And he hated it.”
More revelations are expected on Pietersen’s time with England within the next few days.
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