Alastair Cook regrets fallout with Kevin Pietersen ahead of last Test

Cook has admitted that his handling of Kevin Pietersen's sacking in 2014 will be one of his biggest regrets.

Pietersen, in the past, had even remarked that Cook did not have "the tactical brain to lead the side."

Former England captain, Alastair Cook, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this week has admitted that his handling of Kevin Pietersen's sacking in 2014 will be one of his biggest regrets.

Pietersen, whose career ended abruptly after a fall-out with the then England captain Cook and ECB, has 8181 Test runs at 47.28 and 4440 ODI runs at 40.73 under his belt. The maverick batsman's exit came in the aftermath of a disastrous Ashes series in Australia which saw England lose 0—5.

Pietersen, in the past, had even remarked that Cook did not have "the tactical brain to lead the side."

Now, ahead of what will be his last game for England in Test whites, Cook - reflecting on the incident - said, "Clearly the KP affair was a tough year, there's absolutely no doubt about that. The fall out of that wasn't great for English cricket and wasn't great for me.

"I was involved in that decision without being the bloke who actually made the final decision.

"The fall out for English cricket and the effect it had for 12 months wasn't great."