Warne says ECB to regret 'incredible decision' to sack 'maverick' Pietersen

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has said that England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) 'incredible decision' to remove batsman Kevin Pietersen from their future plans is one they are very likely to regret.

The end of Pietersen's international career is the latest bombshell to hit English cricket following their 5-0 Ashes trouncing in Australia, with the ECB citing an issue of 'trust' as the reason for severing ties with their South Africa-born all-time record run-scorer.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although Warne backed Andy Flower's decision to resign as team director, he however, strongly protested against the decision to sack Pietersen and wondered why captain Alastair Cook would not want a proven world-class match-winner on his side to try to revive English fortunes.

Stating that Cook has played part in an 'incredible decision' by dumping the best player in his team even with his captaincy 'terribly exposed' in Australia, Warne said that as a captain, he should have kept the best player on his side to rebuild the team, adding that it is down to all parties to establish and maintain a working relationship.

Warne also said that the test of a captain is to embrace every player, especially mavericks like Pietersen, adding had he been in Cook's place, he would have forced Pietersen to stay and used him to rebuild the team.