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England's new director of cricket Andrew Strauss says there is no chance of Kevin Pietersen returning to the Test team this summer.
The South African-born batsman has not played international cricket since his contract with the ECB was cancelled following the disastrous Ashes tour of 2025/14.
However, the 34-year-old was offered some hope his Test career was not over when incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves suggested he could earn a recall if he impressed in county cricket.
In the wake of his comments, Pietersen took the decision to cancel a lucrative deal in the IPL and re-join Surrey in the hope of playing his way into contention.
Pietersen has impressed on his return to County Championship action, recording a career-best score of 355 in Surrey's match with Leicestershire.
However, his form with the bat has not been enough to earn a recall, Strauss saying there are other factors which are stopping him from playing for England again.
The former England skipper says he met with Pietersen on Monday to inform him he would not be involved in any of this summer's action, including the Ashes series against Australia.
"Over the months and years the trust has eroded it is not in the best short-term interests of the side for Kevin Pietersen to be in the team this summer but he is not barred from the side," Strauss told Sky Sports.
"At the moment we are quite estranged. I went to see him last night to let him know he's not part of our plans for the summer. This is not about Kevin Pietersen it is about the future of English cricket. My job is to develop a side that is capable of winning matches over the next four years."
Meanwhile, Strauss confirmed Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie is one candidate to replace the recently sacked Peter Moores.
"Jason Gillespie is one of the candidates, yes. We need one over-arching coach. I won't play a tracksuit role here - the strategy will be down to the coach - my job is to plan for the future," Strauss added.
England start their summer with a Test series against New Zealand, which begins on 21st January.
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