'IPL changed KP's attitude'

England coach Andy Flower has insisted Kevin Pietersen's infatuation with the Indian Premier League played a significant role in the collapse of his international career.

Pietersen's England future looks bleak after his relationship with Flower and English captain Andrew Strauss was shattered by the flamboyant batsman's controversial actions over the last few months.

The 32-year-old has been cast into exile after sending SMSes to South African players that allegedly contained criticism of Flower and Strauss during England's recent test series against the Proteas.

But Flower believes that Pietersen, dropped for the third test and left out of England's one-day and Twenty20 World Cup squads, stopped focusing on international action after his lucrative spell of playing domestic cricket in India.

Pietersen announced his shock retirement from limited overs internationals earlier this year in a move that would allow him more scope to play with his Delhi Daredevils IPL team.

He subsequently backtracked on playing a full IPL tournament next year in a YouTube video, where he reaffirmed his commitment to representing England in all three formats. Flower is certain Pietersen's availability for the cash-rich tournament is at the heart of the current problems and, with little hope of an IPL window being introduced to avoid clashes with England matches, that could herald the end of the batsman's international career.

"It's fair to say his issues over being available for the entire IPL have changed his attitude," Flower said.

"That was the catalyst for a lot of the stuff. The IPL and the international fixtures in England are an area of conflict, and will continue to be.

"It would be better if there was a very clear window prior to our international season. But it doesn't look like that is an issue that is going to be sorted out in the future."

England's central contracts for their key players will be decided next month, but Flower does not expect there to be any resolution on the Pietersen matter before then.

That would likely cast further doubt over the South Africa-born batsman's future, though Flower was reluctant to be drawn on the consequences it might have on Pietersen's contract negotiations.

"Regardless of central contracts, I wouldn't like to put a timeframe on it because that might be unrealistic," he said.