Kevin Pietersen has suggested that former England head coach Andy Flower never wanted the batsman in his team because he 'had it in for him'.

The 34-year-old has been opening up about his England demise, which resulted in his dismissal from the squad in February following the team's disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia.

Pietersen was axed by the England and Wales Cricket Board five days after Flower resigned as head coach.

"The ECB needed a scapegoat," Pietersen told BBC Radio 4. "Flower had it in for me ever since he took over. When they sacked me they never gave me any reasons. I still don't know right now why I'm not playing for England."

The batsman, who scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47 in 104 Test matches, has also accused wicketkeeper Matt Prior of being a bully.

Pietersen's book KP: My Autobiography is released on Thursday.