England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves has insisted he "didn't make any promises" to Kevin Pietersen about a potential England return.
Graves, whose tenure officially starts on Friday, released a lengthy statement in response to Pietersen's claims that he has received "incredibly deceitful" treatment.
Pietersen learned on Monday from new ECB director Andrew Strauss that his attempt to force his way back into England contention with a career-best triple century for Surrey had come to nought.
The maverick batsman responded by claiming he had been "misled" in telephone conversations with Graves, which followed two March interviews suggesting Pietersen could possibly resume his international career after all following his sacking 15 months ago.
After the ECB's annual general meeting at Lord's on Friday, Graves said: "In the past few days my integrity has been called into question, something I can't accept.
"Throughout my business career and my years at Yorkshire, integrity has been my watchword. It governs everything I do and is an important part of what I bring to the ECB.
"So it saddens me that what was a private conversation with Kevin in March has been used to do just that.
"Kevin felt he had a lot to offer and was interested in a dialogue with the ECB, sorting things out and working together.
"He would love to play for England again but he wanted to contribute, whether as a player or not.
"I didn't make any promises.
"There were no guarantees that if he chose to exit his IPL [Indian Premier League] contract, play county cricket and score runs he would be selected for England - and I said he should make any decision on his future on that basis."
Record-breaking South Africa-born batsman Pietersen, England's leading all-time runscorer across the formats, responded to his private discussions with Graves by negotiating a release from the majority of a lucrative IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad in order to rejoin Surrey.
The 34-year-old spoke of his "dream" to play for England again in this summer's Ashes rematch - he was axed after the 2013/14 whitewash defeat down under.
But Graves agreed with his management team - including Strauss - that there still could be no way back for Pietersen this summer because of a lack of trust built up between him and his former employers.
Pietersen's autobiography, published last October and heavily critical of many of his former colleagues.
"Given the history and the book, the simple fact is that bridges have still not been rebuilt and trust needs to be restored," added Graves.
"That takes time - as Andrew Strauss made clear this week.
"Kevin was told on Monday, and I completely support the decision that was taken.
"He may not have liked what he heard, but it allowed him to look at his opportunities.
"Despite everything, he can work with us to re-build the relationship and make a further contribution to English cricket.
"It was important he knew where he stood."
Graves, whose tenure officially starts on Friday, released a lengthy statement in response to Pietersen's claims that he has received "incredibly deceitful" treatment.
Pietersen learned on Monday from new ECB director Andrew Strauss that his attempt to force his way back into England contention with a career-best triple century for Surrey had come to nought.
The maverick batsman responded by claiming he had been "misled" in telephone conversations with Graves, which followed two March interviews suggesting Pietersen could possibly resume his international career after all following his sacking 15 months ago.
After the ECB's annual general meeting at Lord's on Friday, Graves said: "In the past few days my integrity has been called into question, something I can't accept.
"Throughout my business career and my years at Yorkshire, integrity has been my watchword. It governs everything I do and is an important part of what I bring to the ECB.
"So it saddens me that what was a private conversation with Kevin in March has been used to do just that.
"Kevin felt he had a lot to offer and was interested in a dialogue with the ECB, sorting things out and working together.
"He would love to play for England again but he wanted to contribute, whether as a player or not.
"I didn't make any promises.
"There were no guarantees that if he chose to exit his IPL [Indian Premier League] contract, play county cricket and score runs he would be selected for England - and I said he should make any decision on his future on that basis."
Record-breaking South Africa-born batsman Pietersen, England's leading all-time runscorer across the formats, responded to his private discussions with Graves by negotiating a release from the majority of a lucrative IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad in order to rejoin Surrey.
The 34-year-old spoke of his "dream" to play for England again in this summer's Ashes rematch - he was axed after the 2013/14 whitewash defeat down under.
But Graves agreed with his management team - including Strauss - that there still could be no way back for Pietersen this summer because of a lack of trust built up between him and his former employers.
Pietersen's autobiography, published last October and heavily critical of many of his former colleagues.
"Given the history and the book, the simple fact is that bridges have still not been rebuilt and trust needs to be restored," added Graves.
"That takes time - as Andrew Strauss made clear this week.
"Kevin was told on Monday, and I completely support the decision that was taken.
"He may not have liked what he heard, but it allowed him to look at his opportunities.
"Despite everything, he can work with us to re-build the relationship and make a further contribution to English cricket.
"It was important he knew where he stood."
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