West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has insisted that Kevin Pietersen should be playing for England because he is a "class player".

Pietersen was sacked from England duty last year after a controversial Ashes series and has not been selected since.

The 34-year-old was told that he could force his way back into the side if he scored runs at county level, but new England director of cricket Andrew Strauss quashed any chance of that happening, and Pietersen is now set to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

Gayle told The Telegraph: "He should be playing for England, there are no two ways about it. [The ECB] must have their reasons but we would love to see your best player in action, out in the middle, entertaining.

"It doesn't matter what format – Test, 50-over, Twenty20 – he's a class player. One of the best players England has ever produced. But it's your loss. KP is looking forward to the CPL.

"England don't want him? We will take him. He will entertain the fans. We will make some sales off him, sell some tickets. It should be fantastic. The CPL is going to be one big party."

Pietersen averages 47.28 in 104 Test matches.