England captain Alastair Cook has refused to comment on the future of Kevin Pietersen.

The 33-year-old batsman has come under criticism for his disappointing performance in the Three Lions' 5-0 Ashes whitewash by Australia.

"It's a hard thing for me to answer at this precise moment," BBC Sport quotes Cook as saying when asked if he wants Pietersen to help his side regain The Ashes in 2015.

"A lot of thinking needs to be done on the way we go about our cricket and the way we want to go forward. We've all had a very tough time. We're going to have to let the dust settle on everything.

"If I gave one player reassurance, there could be [up to] 10 players who want that. It's unfair for us to do that."

Pietersen made his Test debut for England in 2005.