England's Eoin Morgan has described Kevin Pietersen's absence from international cricket as "unbelievable".

The batsman is unlikely to ever to return to the England fold after heavily criticising former coach Andy Flower and a number of teammates in his recent autobiography.

The 34-year-old, who will compete in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars, was dropped by the England and Wales Cricket Board in February following the nation's dismal 5-0 Ashes defeat to Australia Down Under.

"I think it is unbelievable in a way, because certainly he could still be playing cricket for England quite easily," The Guardian quotes Morgan as saying. "It is sad in a way to think that probably the best cricketer I have ever played with is not playing [internationally] any more.

"A guy I have had huge respect for, for a very long time and learnt a huge amount from isn't playing probably as much as he should be."

Morgan will play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.