Nasser Hussain says there is “no way back” for Kevin Pietersen after England’s all-time leading run-scorer launched his autobiography with blistering attacks on wicketkeeper Matt Prior and former coach Andy Flower.

The South Africa-born batsman, axed by England earlier this year after the team’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, claimed there had been a “bullying” culture under Flower, but saved his most stinging criticism for Prior, whom he accused of being a “bad influence”.

Pietersen made the accusations in an explosive interview with British newspaper the Daily Telegraph published on Monday, ahead of the release of his autobiography on Thursday.

He claimed Prior was the ringleader of a group including senior bowlers Graeme Swann, now retired, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, who would lay into their team-mates for dropping catches.

Former England captain Hussain said he had some sympathy for Pietersen’s views, telling Sky Sports: “A lot of the stuff I’ve read (from Kevin) this afternoon, I’ve nodded at and agreed with … about shouting at players in the outfield.

“Team spirit is about respect … what happened in the end was that the respect had gone, between Kevin and his teammates.”

Pietersen insisted he had not given up hope of playing for England again but Hussain said he could not see how a return was possible, given Pietersen’s outspoken comments about the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and lack of recent form.

“Some of the stuff he writes in this book, I can’t see any way back for him,” Hussain said.

“The best way to answer his critics, and pile the pressure on (England captain Alastair) Cook and the ECB was to go out there and smash hundreds for Surrey … he never did that, and is letting his book do the talking instead of his batting.”

Prior, currently sidelined through injury, responded to Pietersen’s comments by tweeting: “Obvs (obviously) sad to see the accusations against me this am (morning) and I WILL have my right of reply! However today is not the day and Twitter is not the place for it!”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, Pietersen’s skipper when he made his Test debut, was saddened by the turn of events.

“Find all the fall out in English Cricket very very sad…Many to blame but mostly it’s been a lack of communication and Man Management….,” Vaughan tweeted.

“Won’t play for England again. So I will remember @KP24 for what he was. A maverick who could play innings that no other England player could.!”