Pietersen boosted by injury absence

Kevin Pietersen claims it was 'a blessing in disguise' injury forced him to miss most of England's Ashes win 'to get my hunger back'.

The 29-year-old was forced to miss the final three Tests against Australia due to a problematic Achilles injury which required surgery.

Having lost the captaincy earlier in the year following a falling out with then-coach Peter Moores, Pietersen admitted it was difficult for him to return to the ranks under the leadership of new coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss on the winter tour to the Caribbean and the home Ashes series.

"It was frustrating," he told The Independent. "I put into writing all my suggestions, as I was asked to, and (Andrew) Strauss has got the benefit of all that.

"I've just had to watch it unfold this summer, which has been extremely hard for me, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise for me to be injured and away from everything so I could try to get my hunger back, because it certainly was dwindling."

Pietersen also believes his spat with Moores has ultimately paid dividends for Strauss given that he appears to have more freedom than he did during his time in the role.

"He has a coach he can work with," added Pietersen. "I never had that. I didn't have the power or authority to run the team. I never had that as England captain."