Kevin Pietersen: England selection for World Cup opener a 'joke'

Kevin Pietersen slammed England's selection prior to their 111-run thrashing by Australia in their opening game of the 2015 World Cup.

The axed batsman, who played in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments for England, thought that dropping Ravi Bopara for Gary Ballance was a 'joke'.

He was also unhappy that James Taylor, whose 98 not out was the only silver lining for England's batting lineup, had been demoted down the order from three to six.

Pietersen tweeted before England's innings: "Selection???? Dropping Bopara & putting Taylor at 6??? Are you joking???!!!! FFS!"

Former England captain Andrew Strauss has also criticised the omission of Bopara in favour of Ballance, who made 10 before being caught at short mid-wicket.