Viv Richards: Kevin Pietersen a loss to international cricket

Viv Richards believes Kevin Pietersen is a loss to international cricket as he has the sort of character which "makes the sport exciting".

Pietersen's England career came to an end when the England and Wales Cricket Board decided to overlook the mercurial batsman in the aftermath of 2013-14's Ashes whitewash in Australia.

England director of cricket Andrew Strauss cited a lack of trust when he stated why Pietersen would not be recalled ahead of the Ashes series earlier this year.

The outspoken 35-year-old became England's leading run-scorer in his brilliant career and West Indies legend Richards thinks it is a shame his playing days at the highest level ended in such a manner.

He told Omnisport: "There are times folks can be a little stuffy nosed. I've always felt about Kevin having seen him, and for the short time I spent with him in Melbourne, he"s a confident dude. He exudes confidence.

"When you have guys in a dressing room where you rub guys up the wrong way, and you have guys that aren't as confident.

"But I guess you take him for what he is. If we were all alike it would be boring, we wouldn't have much fun. These characters make the sport exciting."

Richards was speaking to Omnisport at the Sugar Ridge Resort on behalf of the Lord"s Taverners, who are creating sporting chances in Antigua and Barbuda