ECB, Paul Downton apologise to Pietersen for 'disinterested during Ashes' comments

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly apologised to sacked batsman Kevin Pietersen following their managing director Paul Downton's criticism of the batsman's attitude during the winter Ashes tour.

Downton said that Pietersen had appeared 'disinterested' and 'distracted' during the fifth Test in Sydney, although a defensive Pietersen later denied the claims and suggested that Downton had breached a settlement agreement reached with the ECB not to speak about events on tour.

According to the BBC, an ECB statement said that Downton, who was central to ending Pietersen's association with England, and the board has offered an apology to Pietersen for those comments.

The statement further said that both Downton and the board accepted that the comments were made in breach of a settlement agreement between the ECB and the player, which was concluded after his contract was terminated.