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Flower: No resolution over Pietersen's future

Kevin Pietersen has been left out of England's World T20 squad © Getty Images

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Andy Flower insists Kevin Pietersen's omission from England's World Twenty 20 squad is not merely an issue between the batsman and Test captain Andrew Strauss.

Pietersen was left out of the limited-overs series against South Africa as well as the squad for England's defence of their World T20 crown.

He was dropped for the third Test against South Africa after he admitted sending 'provocative' text messages to members of the opposition.

Pietersen was the player of the tournament when England won the World T20 in 2010, but Flower insisted there were still issues that needed to be resolved before Pietersen could return to international action.

"It's a very sad situation for everyone involved," Flower told Sky Sports News. "He played superbly in our last Twenty20 World Cup but the circumstances that exist at the moment mean that he can't be selected for us.

"There are still issues unresolved and we will be addressing those issues when we have time to do so. Let me just be clear, this is not just an issue between the captain and Kevin. There are deeper issues.

"Certainly the issues of trust and mutual respect need to be addressed, there are unresolved issues that have reared their heads in the last few weeks. And those issues have to be resolved before there is any way forward.

"You resolve these issues face-to-face with people, not through agents or PR agencies, and if this issue is going to be resolved that's how it is going to have to be."

Seamer James Anderson, who has been selected for the one-day international series against South Africa but will miss the T20s, admitted unity in the dressing room was key to England's success and was hopeful of a swift resolution.

"Apparently there's talks going on but, from a player's point of view, we've got to sit back and hope that there's some sort of closure on this," Anderson said. "I think all parties need to get a result at the end of the day and try and sort the issues out and whatever result they come to at the end of it, the players will just go along with.

"You need everyone pulling in the same direction and I'm sure the ECB, Strauss and Flower will be looking out for the interests in the future. There are talks on-going and at the end of the day we'll respect the decision the ECB, Strauss and Flower come to."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.