Former skipper Kevin Pietersen believes his exit from leadership and the removal of Peter Moores as coach two years ago laid the foundation for England retaining the Ashes in Australia.

Pietersen and Moores were sacked in January last year after their relation soared beyond repair. The exit of the duo paved the way for the current captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower, who proved successful ever since. "You know what ... I have never said this before ... I lost the captaincy, I got rid of the captaincy for the good of English cricket," Pietersen was quoted as saying in the 'Daily Telegraph'.