Kevin Pietersen has hit out at England's hierarchy in a series of angry tweets, labelling his exclusion from the Three Lions' Ashes squad as 'ridiculous'.

The South Africa-born cricketer has watched the opening two Ashes Tests from afar in Miami, but believes he should be part of the squad competing against Australia on British shores.

He said on Twitter: 'Deep in thought right now...ridiculous that I'm lying on a beach when I should be in UK prepping for the 3rd Test! So silly really! Sad!

Australia players celebrate their 405-run victory over England at Lord's to level the Ashes series at 1-1

Rather than preparing for the Ashes Tests, Kevin Pietersen is spending his time on the beach and golf course

Pietersen posted this picture to Instagram; he is in Miami relaxing when he would rather be playing for England

'Batting as well as ever [and] the team have huge issues with top order! What a waste, just lying on a beach! I wish I could help!

'So, so, so, so silly!'

Pietersen has scored 8,181 Test runs in his England career - the fifth most in history - but had the international door shut on him by Andrew Strauss ahead of the Ashes series, despite a clamour from a large section of the public for him to be included.

The 35-year-old was desperate to return to the England fold but, despite scoring an unbeaten 326 for Surrey in May, he was told by Strauss that there was no place for him in the England squad.

Pietersen was sacked by England in February 2014, later criticising several players and claiming there was a 'bullying culture' in his autobiography.

On the field last week, England were heavily beaten by rivals Australia, and Pietersen has described the defeat at Lord's as a 'nightmare'.

Pietersen says Lord's was a 'nightmare' but he has backed Alastair Cook and Co to bounce back

Pietersen (left) has a chequered past but has scored the fifth most Test runs in England's history

Speaking to the Paddy Power blog, Pietersen pulled no punches while describing the defeat, but admitted the Three Lions will be desperate to return to winning ways at Edgbaston.

He said: 'There's no getting around it, Lord's was a nightmare for us. Nothing went to plan for England and we were outplayed from the start.

'That said, I've seen people screaming for wholesale changes and blaming this and that, but everyone needs to step back and relax. We're 1-1 against arguably the best team in the world. How many of us would've been happy with that before the series started? I certainly would have been.'

Australian bowler Nathan Lyon (left) celebrates after taking the wicket of Ian Bell on day four at Lord's

Bell has struggled to find form in the series so far, scoring just 13 runs combined in three of his four innings

Despite the Lord's defeat, England's win in Cardiff leaves them in a more positive position than many had anticipated, and Pietersen believes the squad will be baying for blood when they head to Edgbaston in 10 days' time.

Citing the experienced foursome of Ian Bell, Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, Pietersen continued: 'Admittedly it was the manner of the defeat which was most damaging, but I know just how much those boys will be hurting right now and how desperate they'll be to get back to winning ways.

'Guys like Belly, Cooky, Broady and Jimmy have so much experience in Ashes series and they'll be pressing to the lads that this series has a long way to go yet.'

Captain Cook and his experienced England team-mates will bounce back at Edgbaston, according to Pietersen

Pietersen also cites bowler Stuart Broad (centre) as another character to help England return to winning ways

Bell in particular has a lot to prove after struggling in the first two Tests. He hit an impressive 60 in the second innings at Cardiff, but has scored just 13 runs in total in his other three innings.

Pietersen believes the 33-year-old can turn his series around at his home ground in Birmingham.

'For England to win in Birmingham our top order need to start scoring, that's no secret,' he admits. 'But I expect Belly, in particular, to come out with a point to prove on his home ground.

'He's a class act and having batted together for many years, I can tell you he'll be doing everything to get it right come Edgbaston and if anyone can produce something special, he can.'

Gary Ballance (right) is under pressure to improve his performances, with Jonny Bairstow waiting in the wings

Bairstow has impressed for Yorkshire in the county game and is waiting for his England call-up

Elsewhere in England's batting order, Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance are under increasing pressure, with the form of Jonny Bairstow making many a headline.

Fully aware of the pressures of stepping up to the crease in England whites, Pietersen believes it could be make or break for the under-fire pair.

He said: 'Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance, if they weren't already under enough pressure just playing in an Ashes series, then this next Test will be that ten-fold. Pressure of that magnitude can make and break people, so fingers crossed it's the former as we simply can't afford for them not to score big runs.