Kevin Pietersen has accused Matt Prior of being a disruptive influence in the England dressing-room, while former coach Andy Flower “ruled by fear”.
Speaking for the first time since his England contract was terminated, Pietersen told the Daily Telegraph he was “marginalised and demonised”.
The interview comes ahead of the release of his new book on Thursday.
Pietersen, 34, scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47 in 104 Tests and captained his country in three Tests.
Pietersen’s views on the England set-up |
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On former coach Andy Flower: “He built a regime, he didn’t build a team. I’ve told him this before. I told him during his coaching reign.” |
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On wicketkeeper and former vice-captain Matt Prior: “He’s back-stabbing, he’s horrendous, he’s bad for the environment.” |
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On senior players such as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad: “The bowlers were given so much power. But these guys ran the dressing room.” |
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On learning of a parody Twitter account of him: “I got told by a senior player that the account was being run from inside our dressing room. I was completely broken, absolutely finished, mentally shot.” |
The South African-born batsman’s England career was effectively ended following a meeting with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in February.
Following a 5-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia, he was told he was no longer part of the national team’s plans.
At the time, ECB managing director Paul Downton said: “The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic.”
Part of the contract termination included a confidentiality agreement on all parties, which expired at the end of September.
The meeting was also attended by England captain Alastair Cook.
Pietersen accused Flower and some senior players of overseeing “a bullying culture” in the England dressing room where players were forced to apologise if they dropped a catch or made a misfield.
He said: “He (Flower) built a regime, he didn’t build a team. He was the boss. He wanted me to fear him.”
Sussex wicketkeeper Prior received some of Pietersen’s strongest criticism in the Daily Telegraph interview.
He objected to Prior’s portrayal as a “team man” and claimed “a lot of people are very happy” the former vice-captain no longer has a central contract.
But, Pietersen came out in support of current England captain Cook, saying: “I’ve got great admiration for him. I hate to see the way he was this summer.
“The ECB have put him in a very uncomfortable position and they could ruin his career.”
