Flower's ultimatum to England: Keep him or Pietersen

Kevin PietersenMelbourne, Jan 8 : England batsman Kevin Pietersen is likely to be sacked by selectors after coach Andy Flower reportedly issued a ultimatum that either 'he or KP' would remain in the team.

The new managing director of England cricket, Paul Downton , will decide the futures of Flower and Pietersen, whose relationship has broken down to the extent they may not both be able to carry on as part of the England Test set-up.

Reports in England revealed Flower is ready to walk away from his post should Pietersen continue playing Test cricket.

However, the England Cricket board has continued to back Flower to continue in his role until 2015, meaning it is likely they will chose to axe Pietersen, news. com. au reports.

Flower has told the ECB that he wants to rebuild the England team. The board has so far backed him publicly but ultimately the decision to keep him or not will rest with Downton.

Pietersen said hat he wants to help England regain the Ashes in 2015, but privately fears that he will be made a scapegoat for the 5-0 series defeat.

The cracks that had been papered over in the England dressing-room have now been exposed. At times during this tour Pietersen has appeared not interested and has had several private confrontations with Flower.

England management were particularly incensed by Pietersen's bizarre dismissal in Perth when he was caught slogging on the boundary when the Test could still have been saved.

Pietersen, who averages just over 47 in 104 Tests, was dismissed for three and six in the final Test to finish with 294 runs in the series at 29.40. (ANI)