THE final act of England's Ashes horror show appears likely to be the sacking of walking ego Kevin Pietersen amid an explosive cricket civil war with coach Andy Flower.

The cracks in the England dressingroom which had been papered over are now exposed with the bitter infighting that has led Flower to privately push for an end to Pietersen's international career.

It had been reported Flower had issued a 'Me or KP' ultimatum to England selectors after deciding he could no longer work with the arrogant batsman who is a rebellious influence. Flower, a master of semantics, later issued a statement which denied the ultimatum threat but went nowhere near giving Pietersen an endorsement for the future.

1/2 - I am shocked and saddened by reports in the media today concerning my future with England... — Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 8, 2014

2/2 - I wish to repeat my strong desire to continue playing for my country, and to help us regain the Ashes in 2015. — Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 8, 2014

.@newman_cricket 'disciplinary action has been considered but held back until after final Test..' COMPLETE AND UTTER LIES! — Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 8, 2014

.@newman_cricket 'there has been anger at Pietersen's attitude to warm-up games..' MORE LIES!! — Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 8, 2014

With these sort of statements, it is often a matter of what they don't say rather than what they do. The bottom line is Flower does not want Pietersen as part of the future, feeling the two cannot work together in the rebuilding of this young and impressionable England team.

It is a drama which is in part being played out on social media, with Pietersen insisting he is committed to playing for England and helping them try to regain the Ashes in 2015.

"I am shocked and saddened by reports in the media today concerning my future with England," Pietersen tweeted.

England insiders feel Pietersen's tweeting is a ploy so he looks like the wounded party if he is dumped from the team.

News_Image_File: Andy Flower has had enough of KP's antics.

The Courier-Mail reported the trouble with Pietersen, teammates and management before the Gabba Ashes Test but short-sighted current and snide former England players mocked any suggestion of strife in the ranks.

Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison was again way wide of the mark, like he was with his Shoddyline delivery which kicked off the Ashes in 2006, when he claimed Pietersen was firm friends with his teammates and England officials.

Even Shane Warne, a great mate of Pietersen who has strongly pushed for him to remain ahead of Flower, now senses there is more major trouble between the batsman and coach.

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"His relationship with Flower is not good but the coach should go before Pietersen," Warne says. "I find it incredible Kevin Pietersen could be made a scapegoat. He did not have a great series but was not alone in that."

The England Cricket Board has continued to back Flower to continue in his coaching role until 2015, meaning it is likely they will chose to axe Pietersen to ensure the rebuilding process is as smooth as possible.

Flower and England players tried to establish an uneasy truce with Pietersen but never really forgave him for sending inappropriate text messages to the South African team in 2012.

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During the Ashes, England management were incensed by Pietersen's attitude. He often appeared most interested in signing autographs or posing for pictures for fans, with former England opener Geoff Boycott likening him to a cow in a meadow.

England management were particularly angry with Pietersen's bizarre dismissal in Perth when he was caught slogging on the boundary when the Test could still have been saved.

Pietersen may yet walk the plank before he is sacked because there is a new crop of Indian Premier League contracts up for grabs at an auction next month.News_Rich_Media: English paceman Chris Tremlett has backed Kevin Pietersen, playing down rumours of a rift between Andy Flower and Pietersen.

Multi-year contracts are worth millions but Pietersen could only command huge dollars if he gave away his international cricket, freeing him up to become a roving T20 cricketer for hire.

In the short-term, new England cricket managing director Paul Downton will decide the futures of both Pietersen and Flower.

Flower believes it will take a while to decide the fallout from the Ashes debacle.

"It would be sensible and responsible to review the tour in a calm and logical manner before assessing our options for the future and planning ahead,'' Flower said in a statement.

"I repeat that neither I nor the wider ECB leadership group have made any decisions as to the future involvement of any individuals in the playing group or in the support staff."

THE TROUBLE WITH KP

Jan 2009: Resigns from Test captaincy amid fall-out with coach Peter Moores. Moores is sacked on the same day.

May 2012: Retires from limited-over cricket in contract row. Later reverses his decision.

Aug 2012: Hints at retirement in the South Africa series, saying: "It's tough being me playing for England". Axed for the final Test after sending texts to opposition, making derogatory remarks about coach Andy Flower and skipper Andrew Strauss.

Oct 2012: Pietersen is 're-integrated' into the England team and recalled for tour of India.

Jan 2014: Push for Pietersen to be kicked out of team following disastrous Ashes tour and total breakdown of relationship with Flower.