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Strauss disappointed at Pietersen saga

Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen in happier times © Getty Images

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England Test captain Andrew Strauss has admitted his surprise at the recent Kevin Pietersen furore, but hinted that he feels there are many issues still to be resolved.

Pietersen was dropped from the side to face South Africa at Lord's this week after failing to provide assurances that he did not send messages, containing derogatory comments about Strauss and other England team-mates, to members of the South Africa side.

The experienced batsman has since apologised to the ECB for his conduct, in a bid to ensure he is included in the squad for the forthcoming World Twenty20. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be welcomed back into the fold.

Strauss noted that the current saga had escalated quickly, but indicated that there were genuine dressing room difficulties between Pietersen and other squad members that have affected performances and remain to be resolved.

"I've always got on with Kevin," Strauss told Sky Sports. "I've tried to be honest with him; he's been honest with me.

"That's why this has all been a bit of a surprise to me.

"I think the discontent that Kevin had with the board over his contract situation was one that the players didn't get involved in - and I didn't really get involved in, if I'm honest.

"But over the last week I have had to get involved, because there have been issues a little bit more central to his relationship with the other players and our ability to perform out in the middle."

Pietersen is believed to have become unsettled in recent months by difficult negotiations with the ECB over a new central contract, while a parody Twitter account playing off his perceived self-importance (which was followed by some of his England team-mates) also antagonised him.

Despite that, Strauss indicated that there was no excuse for Pietersen revealing dressing room issues to opponents - and that Pietersen's actions have caused a breakdown in trust that will require more than an apology to heal.

"I'm a big believer in not airing dirty laundry in public," he said. "It's one of our core values in our team that what goes on in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.

"Any time anyone has fallen foul of that they have been disciplined - and rightly so.

"It's about mutual respect and trust, and that is a core issue that is central to resolving this."

Elsewhere, Strauss's team-mate Ian Bell echoed previous comments from other England players maintaining that the squad can beat South Africa without Pietersen.

"I'm as confident about winning this Test without Kev as I would have been if he'd been here with us," Bell told the Independent. "The great thing about this team is that every player chips in towards victories. You only have to look at the last Ashes series to know that is true."

He added: "Would I hope to play with Kevin Pietersen again in an England shirt? Yes, 100 per cent. There is no doubt about that. I'm a big Kevin Pietersen fan. You only have to see how he played the other day. He showed he is as dominant and ruthless a player as there is in world cricket."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.