David Gower has claimed that Kevin Pietersen has every right to be angered after being told that his England career is all but over.

New director of cricket Andrew Strauss confirmed on Tuesday that the 34-year-old would not play for England this summer due to a lack of trust between the former teammates.

Strauss failed to rule out a recall for Pietersen, but it is understood that the batsman has played his last match at international level.

Pietersen launched an angry attack on the England and Wales Cricket Board last night, and Gower believes that his exasperation is justified after incoming chairman Colin Graves suggested that a return could be possible.

"Kevin has done a lot to get back and he feels suitably miffed, which I can understand," the former captain told Sky Sports News. "To be led down a garden path to find an iron gate padlocked, bolted and secured for all time at the end of garden is not fair in many ways."

Shane Warne, Alec Stewart and Bob Willis are among a number of former players who have criticised the ECB's decision to exclude Pietersen.