Kevin Pietersen exclusive: I still don't know why I'm not playing for England

Kevin Pietersen opens up about the ending of his England cricket career in a new documentary for ITV4.

The outspoken batsman, whose last – and possibly final – England appearance was in January 2014, speaks candidly about it in a one-off programme called 'Being Kevin Pietersen'.

Featuring contributions from his wife Jessica, plus colleagues and friends including Darren Gough, Michael Vaughan, Shane Warne, Piers Morgan and Jamie Redknapp, it tells the tale of an iconic cricketer whose reputation for arrogance combined with his huge talent has led some to believe he is a misunderstood maverick.

Watch a preview of the documentary:

Pietersen, who made 104 Test appearances for England and became a household name after his eye-catching performances during the 2005 Ashes victory, claims he wasn't given a reason for being dropped, and declines to rule out the hope of playing again for his national side.

Reporter Gabriel Clarke asks: “What’s the one reason above all you’re no longer playing for England?”

Pietersen replies: “I haven’t been given one. So I don’t know.”

Clarke quotes back to him: "'We couldn’t trust him as a senior player to build the side around.' … That’s their [the English Cricket Board's] reasoning."

Pietersen responds: "The strange thing about that is you build a team around all the players. My relationship with most of those guys leaving that tour [Ashes 2013/14] was amazing. Absolutely amazing. We all drank in the bar after we got smashed in Sydney, all our wives, girlfriends, we were all in the bar."

He also suggests he may not have completely given up hope of playing for England again.

Clarke asks him: "Yes or no – have you given up on the idea of playing for England again?"

Kevin replies: "Goodness, I want to say no."

Watch Being Kevin Pietersen on ITV4 on Thursday 19th November at 10pm