Pietersen Issues Public Apology

Kevin Pietersen has issued a public apology after admitting sending "provocative texts to my close friends in the South Africa team".

He was dropped for the third Test against South Africa over the messages.

Pietersen said: "I truly didn't mean to cause upset or tension, particularly with important games at stake."

But England managing director Hugh Morris said further talks were needed to see if trust and mutual respect could be regained.

Pietersen said: "The texts were meant as banter between close friends. I need to rein myself in sometimes.

"I did send what you might call provocative texts to my close friends in the SA team.

"I apologise to [captain Andrew Strauss] Straussy and the team for the inappropriate remarks at the press conference and for the texts."

Pietersen's omission from the England squad for the final Test at Lord's came at the end of a turbulent week in which he first hinted he could retire completely from international cricket . Then on Saturday he committed to playing for England in all forms of the game.

However, the ECB wanted assurances by Sunday afternoon from the 32-year-old batsman that he had not sent derogatory texts about captain Andrew Strauss.

Pietersen did not do so by the deadline and was then dropped from the squad to face the Proteas at Lord's.

Morris said a "successful conclusion to the process was in everyone's best interests".

But he said: "Further discussions need to take place to establish whether it is possible to regain the trust and mutual respect required to ensure all parties are able to focus on playing cricket and to maintain the unity of purpose that has served us so well in recent years.

"Critically, those discussions should take place behind closed doors, rather than in the media spotlight.

"At the moment we have an important Investec Test match to focus on and therefore ECB will make no further comment until such time as is appropriate."

On Monday South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee insisted: "Text messages were sent, but it was banter."

And on Tuesday England's Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad denied any involvement in a spoof Twitter account that allegedly riled Pietersen and apparently formed part of his dispute with the ECB.

A member of the public claimed on Monday to be the author of the account, which was closed earlier this month.

Jonny Bairstow has been brought in to replace Pietersen in the England squad for the final Test against South Africa, which the home side must win to retain their number one world ranking.