KP nuts? Cricketing world speaks out on Pietersen outburst

“The likes of Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad have been disrespectful to [their own] fielders,” he continued.

“No one drops a catch on purpose. How would they feel if every time they bowled a bad ball everyone turned to them and said: ‘What the hell are you doing?’

“The irony is that James Anderson has spoken about how difficult it was for him when he first played for England. So I hope these bowlers know what they are doing to the guys around them, especially the inexperienced ones.”

Swann and Prior have of course responded to the criticism, with the former spinner hitting back, saying: “I expected it to be the biggest work of fiction since Jules Verne and that seems to have happened. The one thing I will say is that I immediately realised it was codswallop when I read the character assassination of Matt Prior.

“Tragically I don’t think Kev realises the one person who fought tooth and nail to keep him in the side is the one person he is now assassinating: Matt Prior,” Swann, who recently criticised Alastair Cook’s ODI captaincy, added.

“Kevin has been quite clever because the guys still playing he has left alone and he hopes to get back in again one day.

“He has picked on people who he thinks can’t answer back. If that [bullying] was the case a lot of people would have flagged it up before.”

Wicketkeeper Prior, meanwhile, posted on Twitter: “Obvs sad to see the accusations against me this am and I WILL have my right of reply! However today is not the day and Twitter is not the place for it!”

England’s performances recently have been much-criticised, with many fans calling for Pietersen’s return to the international set-up, especially with the ODI World Cup coming up in February in New Zealand and Australia. However, the prolific batsman, who has the most runs in history for his adopted nation has been in poor form since his axing after the 5-0 Ashes thrashing.

While Pietersen is almost certain to miss out on selection for the World Cup, England, who will be led by Cook, can be backed at 8/1 to win the competition.