Pietersen: 'Cricket is insignificant when Andrew Strauss is feeling what he's feeling'

Pietersen, whose public spats with the former England captain played a major part in his international career coming to an end, said the focus should be on family not feuds while Strauss's wife Ruth fights cancer

^{Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen}

Kevin Pietersen says his past squabbles with Andrew Strauss are "insignificant" following the news that the director of England cricket's wife is battling cancer.

Pietersen, whose public spats with the former England captain played a major part in his international career coming to an end, said the focus should be on family not feuds while Ruth Strauss fights the disease.

"I actually get on really well with Straussy and I've had some real good conversations with Straussy because he's going through some real personal hardships at the moment," Pietersen told reporters while on Pakistan Super League duty with Quetta Gladiators.

"And I'm being serious when I say that cricket is insignificant when Andrew Strauss is feeling what he's feeling, with his wife and cancer, so you put all the nonsense to one side."

^{Pietersen is winding down his playing career}

Pietersen's relationship with Strauss collapsed in 2012 following a mini-scandal involving a series of text messages he allegedly sent South African players in which he criticised the then-England skipper.

"I've actually spoken to him quite a few times in the last couple of months," said Pietersen.

"Cricket, and all the stuff that happened is gone, it's insignificant because families are a lot more important.

"I'm good with Straussy. I just wish Ruth all the best and hopefully Ruth can pull through. She's a fighter."