`Disappointed` Watson says World T20 is `poorer event` without `old foe` Pietersen

Sydney: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that the World Twenty20 tournament is a `poorer event` without sacked England batsman Kevin Pietersen and urged the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB) to rethink their decision to axe him.

Watson is a fan of Pietersen and was surprised and disappointed like many others to see the international career of the South Africa-born batsman end prematurely following England`s miserable Ashes tour of Australia. According to News.com.au, Watson is sad to see his old foe leave the world stage and said that it is a shame that Pietersen is not playing international cricket anymore as the batsman had always been one of his favourite players to watch, adding that Pietersen was a world-class player and England will miss his cricket ability. Watson further said that the World T20 loses a bit for Pietersen`s absence, adding the fact that he is missing from a tournament makes it poorer for that. A return to England colours seems highly unlikely for Pietersen, with events such as a recent Twitter spat with Matthew Prior suggesting that the situation is irretrievable, but Watson thinks the arrival of a new head coach this summer offers some hope.