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Having been dumped from the England side following last summer’s disastrous Ashes series, Pietersen returned fire against his critics by publishing a book that took no prisoners in terms of naming names he didn’t like within the squad.
And, despite having signed to play for the Melbourne Stars in this summer’s Big Bash League, Pietersen is maintaining the fight, this time annoying the England and Wales Cricket Board through Twitter by leaking the news Cook has been removed as one-day international captain.
At this stage, it hasn’t been officially announced Cook has been replaced as the ODI captain by Eoin Morgan – currently playing for Big Bash strugglers Sydney Thunder - but the jungle drums are beating pretty strongly on this, especially after KP declared it to his many followers in the Twittersphere.
Great news that @Eoin16 is new England 1-day captain. Top player, leader and bloke. Hope I get to play for him.
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) December 19, 2014Cook’s tenure as ODI skipper has come under increasing pressure, which only intensified following a 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka.
Cook has made five centuries and 19 half-centuries in 92 ODI matches, but his form with the bat has deteriorated badly.
He has reached 50 just once in his past 22 ODI innings and calls for him to resign have gathered pace after England lost their last three ODI series' against Test-playing nations.
With the Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand set to get under way in February, Cook has regularly insisted that he would not walk away from the role, stating his determination to improve his own and the team's form.
However, with the announcement of England's provisional 30-man squad to come on Saturday, widespread reports on Friday suggested that the decision had been taken out of his hands by the selectors.
The timing of the move - should it be confirmed - may raise some eyebrows so soon ahead of the World Cup, with Alex Hales now possibly set for an extended run in the side at his preferred position at the top of the order.
If stood down, Cook will focus his efforts on leading the Test team and winning back The Ashes from Australia in 2015.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan applauded the move on Twitter.
Congrats @Eoin16 .... The right man for the job.....
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 19, 2014