Kevin Pietersen vs ECB: Michael Clarke comes up with mixed emotions

Australia Test captain Michael Clarke spoke with the media about England and West Indies ahead of his departure to the Caribbean.

Clarke said on Sunday England will be a weaker team without Kevin Pietersen, but still expects a tough Ashes 2015 battle in July. Clarke was speaking before his departure for the Caribbean where Australia play two Tests against West Indies en route to England for the five-Test Ashes series, starting in Cardiff on July 8, reported AFP. READ: England will be weaker without Kevin Pietersen, says Michael Clarke

Pietersen, 34, England’s leading all-time run-scorer across all formats, was told by new England director of cricket Andrew Strauss last week that he was “not part of our plans for the summer”, saying there was a “massive trust issue” between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the controversial batsman, added AFP.