Pietersen was removed from the England squad after a 'breakdown in trust'

The ECB made it clear they would be

England cricket chiefs blocked a move by Sky to secure Kevin Pietersen’s services as a commentator for the upcoming Ashes over fears he would continue his stinging criticism of his former team-mates.

The Mail on Sunday understands that senior figures at Sky explored the possibility of employing the exiled batsman, who was banished from the England ranks following a ‘breakdown in trust’ with management and players.

But nervous ECB chiefs indicated that they would be deeply uncomfortable with him commentating during the Ashes series.

Sky have been blocked by the ECB in their plans to secure Kevin Pietersen (right) as an Ashes pundit

Sky explored the possibility of hiring Pietersen to join their commentary team for the Ashes against Australia

Pietersen was banished from the England team after the last Ashes series, which was lost 5-0 in Australia

‘It was made clear that Pietersen’s presence in the commentary box would not be welcomed by the ECB,’ a Sky source told the Mail on Sunday.

The ECB were outmanoeuvred by Pietersen and his advisors, led by Piers Morgan, during a sustained public relations campaign on his behalf after he was sacked following England’s 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia last year.

Pietersen subsequently published a controversial book in which he heavily criticised former team-mates including Matt Prior, Andrew Strauss, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, as well as former England coach Andy Flower and managing director Hugh Morris.

Earlier this season Pietersen accused incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves of being ‘deceitful’ after he was told by the new England team director, and former England captain, Strauss that he would not be considered for Test selection in the future — despite having scored heavily for Surrey in the early part of the season.

Pietersen has impressed when he has worked as a pundit in the past but the ECB want him at arms length

The ECB are said to be unhappy with the continued presence of Shane Warne in the Sky commentary box

Pietersen has previously impressed as a television pundit, but pressure from the ECB to keep him at arm’s length this summer indicates that they remain extremely wary of his capacity to polarise public opinion and potentially alienate England supporters with his outspoken views.