'Pietersen is England's best batsman'

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle believes England has made a big mistake by refusing to allow Kevin Pietersen to continue playing Twenty20 cricket.

Gayle said Peitersen would be a huge loss for Andy Flower's side, as they attempt to defend the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka this autumn.

"KP is the best batsman in the team and the coach, captain, players and fans will really miss him. The situation is really unfortunate.

"The England rules are that, once you don't play 50-over cricket, you can't play T20," The Sun quoted Gayle, as saying.

"If someone wants to retire from one, I don't see why he has to retire from the other.

"Kevin is a star player and he must know how much his body can take," he added.

Gayle on Wednesday played his first match for the Windies since the 2011 World Cup and hit 34 in a 228-run win over Middlesex at Lord's, but while Pietersen will now play only Test cricket for England, Gayle is available for all forms of the game once more.

"It's good to be back in the No 45 representing West Indies once more.

"I was nervous at the start of my innings but eventually things went well before I was out. Now I'm really looking forward to the first ODI against England on Saturday," Pietersen said.