Dropping Kevin Pietersen was a 'ludicrous' decision, says former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden

Former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden has termed England's decision to constantly overlook swashbuckling batsman Kevin Pietersen as 'ludicrous'.

Hayden said that World Cups were won on innovative batting and it was 'crazy' not to see him in the 15-man World Cup squad, the BBC reported.

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The England star was sacked in wake of the last Ashes tour and made reconciliation unlikely by releasing a book in October, which contained attacks on England's national cricket board and several of his former teammates.

Earlier this week, Pietersen's hopes of receiving a re-call from the national selectors got reinforced after Alastair Cook was discharged off his captaincy responsibilities.

However, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Paul Downton said that they had parted company with Kevin in January because it was 'the right decision' to go in a 'slightly different direction'.