England's Graeme Swann baffled Kevin Pietersen decision

Pietersen's international career was brought to a close on Tuesday when he was omitted from the upcoming tour of the Caribbean and ICC World Twenty20, with the 33-year-old all but conceding in a joint statement that it was the end of the line for him with England.

Swann, who retired from all cricket midway through England's nightmare tour Down Under, is unable to shed any light on the matter either and admits he cannot understand why Pietersen has been jettisoned now, after seeing what he felt was an improved attitude from the controversial batsman since his 'reintegration' back into the squad.

Pietersen was dropped from the side in the summer of 2012 after sending provocative text messages about then captain Andrew Strauss to South African players. Swann said: "I'll be honest – myself and several other England players were not exactly members of his fan club during the Textgate scandal of 2012. But I changed my opinion of him once he was reintegrated back into the team. He made a huge effort to improve his attitude around the dressing room. I saw or heard no issues with him in Australia this winter, his approach was exceptional.

"That's why I was baffled on Tuesday when he was effectively sacked as an England player. Clearly, Kevin must have upset people enough for the England hierarchy to decide he is no longer wanted."

Pietersen, meanwhile, today emerged as a £3m 'gun for hire' as the controversy over his England sacking erupted into a bitter row between his friend Piers Morgan and wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Pietersen enters the IPL auction on February 12-13 as a free agent with the chance to earn up to £3m. Lalit Modi, founder of the IPL, said: "It's England's loss and the IPL's gain. He could go upwards of £3m."

Prior hit back at Morgan's Twitter claims that he launched a dressing room tirade at Andy Flower after the fourth Test in Melbourne. Morgan tweeted: "For the record, @MattPrior13 led the England team meeting after Melbourne Test. And slaughtered Flower. If you didn't say it @MattPrior13 – then sue me."

But Prior defended himself, tweeting: "I refuse to be attacked by a bloke that knows very little about what goes on in the England set-up apart from gossip and hearsay."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has ruled himself out of the running to succeed Flower.