FORMER Essex county cricketer Don Topley has hit out at Kevin Pietersen following the row which has left English cricket in disarray.The 44-year-old used to room with Peter Moores - the coach who has repeatedly clashed with Pietersen - when the pair were young MCC professionals serving their apprenticeships at Lord's.

Stuart Watson

FORMER Essex county cricketer Don Topley has hit out at Kevin Pietersen following the row which has left English cricket in disarray.

The 44-year-old used to room with Peter Moores - the coach who has repeatedly clashed with Pietersen - when the pair were young MCC professionals serving their apprenticeships at Lord's.

Topley, who is now on the staff of Holbrook's Royal Hospital School, said: “Peter Moores is a very good communicator and a gentle man who understands the game. I feel he has been let down by some of his players. Call me cynical, but I believe he (Pietersen) was only given the England captaincy because there were no other obvious candidates at the time.

“I've been amazed by his field settings and some of his bowling changes. He did well against South Africa, but on the sub-continent it is a very different game and I thought his ability as a captain was exposed in India.

“That is why I think he was so desperate for Michael Vaughan to be back in the side, because he wanted him to lean on.

“He's a high-risk player who plays some very irresponsible shots and that doesn't give a great message to the rest of his squad. There's no doubt that Pietersen is a great player, but great players don't make great captains.

“People might point to Ricky Ponting, but you or I could have captained a side including the likes of Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.”