England, Wales Cricket Board apologises to S. Africa over Pietersen claim

LONDON (AP) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) apologised Monday to South Africa over allegations Proteas players provoked Kevin Pietersen in the text message saga that saw him excluded from England's team.

ECB chief executive David Collier claimed South Africans instigated the exchange, where Pietersen made derogatory comments about his then-captain Andrew Strauss in messages to his rivals.

"Cricket South Africa has made clear to ECB that the electronic messages were not part of any initiative or plan to undermine the England team or players," the ECB said in a statement.

"ECB has unreservedly accepted that assurance and wishes to reiterate that it has no issue at all with CSA - or the Proteas players - on this matter and appreciates that the South African and England players follow the highest ethical standards of behaviour."