Shane Warne criticises ECB over Kevin Pietersen retirement

Former Australian spin-bowler Shane Warne has blamed the England and Wales Cricket Board's "ego" for Kevin Pietersen's retirement from limited overs internationals.

Batsman Pietersen gave up all 50-over and Twenty20 encounters with immediate effect a fortnight ago.

However, Warne, who played alongside Pietersen at Hampshire, believes that the ECB left Pietersen with no choice but to call it a day.

"Any team that hasn't got Kevin Pietersen is significantly weaker," Warne told The Independent. "He's a match-winner so that's a big loss.

"It staggers me and I'm very surprised that the ECB didn't try and negotiate that better, drop their egos and say, okay we understand this, we want to keep our best players playing all the time.

"I think it's just a bit too much ego for my liking from the ECB."

Pietersen will continue to play for the England Test side.