Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has reiterated sending text messages to some of the Proteas players during the 2012 series was an error in judgement.

Pietersen eventually apologised to then captain Andrew Strauss for messaging the opposition. The messages included criticism of Strauss and then coach Andy Flower.

‘Strauss had said to us, “Under no circumstances will you go and talk to these guys.” I’m going, “Shut up you idiot”,’ Pietersen said during Sky Sports‘ new documentary, KP: Story of a Genius.

‘When Morne Morkel runs in to bowl at me I’m going to try and whack him as far as I can, whack him because he’s a buddy of mine and that personal thing is, I don’t want him at the end of the match to go, “KP, how are you going there buddy?” I want to know that I’ve absolutely belted him.

‘But off the field I don’t need anybody to tell me I can’t speak to people.

‘I made a mistake – I’ve talked about it. I said to Strauss that I am so sorry, so there’s not much more I can do on the situation or on the topic.’

The South African-born Pietersen was the subject of a parody account on social media at the time, started by a friend of England fast bowler Stuart Broad.

‘The players in the dressing room were associated with the Twitter. I was distraught. I just went completely insular. I went completely into my bubble – I was like, “I’m gone”,’ he added.

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