Former England cricketers slam Andrew Strauss for snubbing Kevin Pietersen

New Delhi: Former England cricketers slammed ECB director Andrew Strauss for closing the door for Kevin Pietersen's return to the national side.

The controversial right-hander made the first triple century of his career on Monday to offer a timely reminder of his talents to new Strauss ahead of his press conference on Tuesday.

But after meeting with Strauss in the evening Pietersen was told he will not be recalled to the England side.

It was Pietersen`s 50th first-class ton and his first county championship hundred for nearly two years. He has faced 373 balls, hitting 34 fours and 14 sixes.

Several former England cricketers expressed their anguish at this decision from Strauss. Likes of Michael Vaughan, Geoffrey Boycott, Ronnie Irani and Andre Flintoff threw their weight behind Pietersen and criticised the decision by the new England team director.

I have no agenda in this , I thought If @KP24 was to play again he should fight his way back in which he has , as for personality he can ..

— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) May 12, 2015

Just pick your best available players and let's stop over complicating sport.... It's a game of Cricket .. Nothing more Nothing less... — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 11, 2015

Congratulations @KP24 on a fantastic innings. Only spoilt by Strauss & Tom Harrison. Keep your chin up and keep scoring runs! #KPForEngland — Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) May 12, 2015

Andrew Strauss could have sent out a positive message of leadership by getting @KP24 in the side and getting certain teammates to grow up! — Ronnie Irani (@RonnieIrani1) May 12, 2015

Pietersen was sacked by England in February 2014 following the team`s 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia after being accused of being a divisive character in the squad.