Matthew Hayden: Not picking Kevin Pietersen for England 'ludicrous'

London: Former Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden has batted for Kevin Pietersen and described England’s decision to continually overlook the star batsman as “ludicrous”.

Pietersen’s central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was terminated in February, reports bbc.co.uk.

“It’s ludicrous Kevin Pietersen is not in the England squad. It’s just crazy. World Cups are won on innovative batting,” Hayden, who scored 8,625 runs in 103 Test matches, said on Sunday.

The 43-year-old Hayden’s criticism follows England’s decision to drop Alastair Cook and appoint Eoin Morgan as the captain for the 2015 World Cup starting on February 14 in Australia and New Zealand.

Pietersen tweeted his approval of the move, saying: “Great news that @Eoin16 is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him.”

England, though, have not selected him since last winter’s 0-5 Ashes whitewash.

Pietersen is currently playing for Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 competition, and hit 66 off 46 balls in their opening defeat to Adelaide Strikers.