Andrew Flintoff has questioned the decision to axe Kevin Pietersen from the England team, suggesting the South African-born batsman was a scapegoat for the Ashes whitewash in Australia this winter.

Pietersen, 33, was told this week by an England and Wales Cricket Board panel including Alastair Cook that he was surplus to requirements for the national side, but the former international all-rounder was surprised by the lack of players taking responsibility for defeat.

He told the Daily Mail: "They've got one player who can take the blame and the rest of them want to go about their business and let him take the fall.

"It's not that we couldn't bowl them out, not that we couldn't score runs, not that we got outplayed — it's Kevin Pietersen's fault.

"I'd have more respect for some of the senior players if they held their hands up, rather than letting it all get heaped on one bloke."

England begin their tour of the West Indies later this month.