Shane Watson disappointed by Kevin Pietersen absence

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes that the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh will be a poorer event without Kevin Pietersen.

The batsman was controversially dropped by the England and Wales Cricket Board last month, which brought his international career to an end.

Watson has admitted his disappointment that Pietersen will no longer feature on the world stage.

"I think it's a shame Kevin Pietersen is not playing international cricket anymore," he told BT Sport.

"He's always been one of my favourite players to watch. I love seeing him bat, the way he takes on the game. He's a world-class player, so for me it's sad that I won't see him again in international cricket and England will certainly miss his cricket ability.

"The tournament loses a bit for his absence, and he wasn't at the last one in Sri Lanka either. That he's missing from a tournament makes it poorer for that."

Pietersen has been appointed captain of the Delhi Daredevils for their Indian Premier League campaign.