'Disappointed' Watson says World T20 is 'poorer event' without 'old foe' Pietersen

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that the World Twenty20 tournament is a 'poorer event' without sacked England batsman Kevin Pietersen and urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to rethink their decision to axe him.

Watson is a fan of Pietersen and was surprised and disappointed like many others to see the international career of the South Africa-born batsman end prematurely following England's miserable Ashes tour of Australia.

According to News.com.au, Watson is sad to see his old foe leave the world stage and said that it is a shame that Pietersen is not playing international cricket anymore as the batsman had always been one of his favourite players to watch, adding that Pietersen was a world-class player and England will miss his cricket ability.

Watson further said that the World T20 loses a bit for Pietersen's absence, adding the fact that he is missing from a tournament makes it poorer for that.

A return to England colours seems highly unlikely for Pietersen, with events such as a recent Twitter spat with Matthew Prior suggesting that the situation is irretrievable, but Watson thinks the arrival of a new head coach this summer offers some hope.