Former England fast bowler Darren Gough has described the dropping of batsman Kevin Pietersen as "absolutely pathetic", saying England stand no chance of defending the Ashes without him in the squad.

The former South African was axed from England's one-day and Twenty20 sides on Tuesday after a foul-mouthed tirade on Twitter.

Pietersen has had an awful run with the bat during the northern summer, but Gough believed selectors should have shown more faith in him before the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane starts on November 25.

"He's England's best one-day player and what better way for him to get back into form than to go out against Pakistan and belt it," The Sun quoted Gough, as telling the UK radio station TalkSport.

"It's absolutely pathetic that you can drop the man who was player of the tournament at the World Twenty20 earlier this year," he added.

Pietersen is likely to be named in the Ashes touring party.

"If they don't take him to the Ashes, we might as well just give Australia the urn," Gough said.

Pietersen is likely to be disciplined for his indiscretion by the England and Wales Cricket Board. (ANI)