“I do feel some sympathy for him because I think he felt he was doing what was right,” Strauss said. “You don’t know how many people felt like he did, but that was what his view were...That is Kevin Pietersen as a person and I don’t think he should be vilified because of that.”

ODI squad to be picked on Friday

However, things may not be easy for Strauss, who has not been part of the one-day squad for more than a year. But he insisted that he would be involved when the selectors meet on Friday to discuss the squad and captain for England’s one-day and Twenty20 games.

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that I haven't been involved in the one-day game for England for the last 12 or 18 months. I have to speak to the selectors, I’ve got some views on the one-day set up and so have they so we need to iron that out.”