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Kevin Pietersen: 'I had to defend myself'

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen stands by the comments made in his autobiography and insists that he needed to "defend" himself.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has claimed that his autobiography is his way of defending himself against the allegations made about him by the ECB.

Pietersen, who saw his international career ended in February, has recently hit out at the England set-up, suggesting that there is a bullying culture within the dressing room.

A number of players have since denied the 34-year-old's claims, but he has stuck by the comments made in his new book, which goes on sale on Thursday.

"I've not been allowed to give my side of the story because of the regime we were under," Pietersen told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think it is pretty important for the public, who've been fed by the ECB machine so many things about me, to read this book and go 'Okay, there is another side'.

"It's a different spin that the ECB machine are putting on me every single day. I'm not buying it. As sad as it is, it's been a battle I've been fighting since [Andy] Flower was coach - so I had to try to defend myself."

Pietersen played 104 Test matches for England, racking up 8,181 runs.

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Kevin Pietersen with his wife Jessica Taylor during the Shane Warne's Australia vs Michael Vaughan's England T20 match at Circenster Cricket Club on June 9, 2013
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