Image courtesy of: The Guardian

“They only want people in that dressing room that are going to be passionate about England winning and performing”

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has announced that the national team are better off without batsman Kevin Pietersen, whose central contract was recently terminated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Prior and Pietersen had a falling out during England’s disastrous tour of Australia.

Prior also noted that Pietersen’s talent should have made him “the best England cricketer to ever walk this planet”.

When asked if the dressing room would be a better place without Pietersen, Prior said: “Yes, it will.”

Prior also questioned whether Pietersen was committed to helping England succeed or more interested in padding his own stats.

“I think one of the biggest things the ECB want to rediscover is the value of playing cricket for England,” Prior said. “The honour and the pride you need to show as an England cricketer.

“And they only want people in that dressing room that are going to be passionate about England winning and performing.”