Cook refuses to rule out Pietersen return

The England cricket captain Alastair Cook has refused to rule out a return for Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen was removed from the setup after the disastrous Ashes tour to Australia in 2013/14, and was told he did not feature in any of England's future plans.

And despite being asked repeatedly this morning whether he agreed with that assessment Cook would not be drawn on the issue.

He said all he could think about was the upcoming tour to the West Indies: "We've got to focus on the exciting thing which is the next five weeks. The three guys at the top of the ECB can deal with any other external stuff".

Coach Peter Moores said: "Kevin isn't on the radar. I can only say it so many times. He can't be in mine or Cooky's focus at all."

The two men were speaking as the team prepared to fly out to the Caribbean.