Moores is a ‘fantastic guy’: Pietersen

Pietersen subsequently told the England and Wales Cricket Board that he could not work with Moores and the captain-coach feud eventually cost both the individuals their jobs.

Pietersen admitted he and Moores made an odd couple but insisted he didn’t have any personal issue with him.

“He’s a fantastic guy,” Pietersen told Sky News. “I’ve heard a comment of his where he says he wants England to win and he does want England to win. He’s passionate about winning.

“I have absolutely no personal problem with Peter Moores,I just didn’t feel that me and him could take the team forward,” Pietersen said.

Soon after he relinquished captaincy,speculation was rife that Pietersen might turn his back on England and take the plunge in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

The South Africa-born cricketer said such a thought never crossed his mind.

“I never,ever once thought that I’m going to leave England and I’ve been betrayed and I’m angry towards anybody at all,” he said.

“I just thought,okay,I’m gonna have to become a soldier again and go back and do batting,which I absolutely love,” added the maverick batsman.