Pietersen \\\'so sad\\\' after England career ends

LONDON, Feb 5 (AFP): Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen expressed sadness over the end of his international career on Wednesday and said that he was "incredibly overwhelmed" by the support he had received.

The 33-year-old's days as an international cricketer came to an end on Tuesday when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that it had "unanimously" decided to move forward without him.

With England due to name their squads for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies and the World Twenty20 on Thursday, the ECB's new managing director, Paul Downton, elected to make a decisive call on Pietersen's future.

Pietersen posted a picture on photo-sharing website Instagram of himself leaving the field after his final Test match against Australia in Sydney during England's recent 5-0 Ashes defeat.

He wrote: "So sad that this will now be the last time I leave a field in an England shirt.

"Incredibly overwhelmed by the support overnight! Thank you so much. I love England and I honestly hope they have every success in the future."