KP has 'tarnished' England era: Cook

England captain Alastair Cook has spoken publicly for the first time since the release of Kevin Pietersen’s much-hyped autobiography, KP, suggesting the revelations have “tarnished” a successful period of English cricket.

"I'm very proud of that era," Cook told BBC Sport. "I really only have fond memories of that, but I do believe it's kind of been tarnished and I'm sad about that.

"I think it's been a really sad week for cricket.

“We have to draw a line under it at some stage and this is a good time.”

Pietersen’s controversial book has been the major talking point of the cricket world for the past week, with the sacked batsman claiming a “horrendous” bullying culture had existed within the squad, both on and off the field.

"International cricket is a tough place and, as a team, you're striving for excellence at all times,” Cook said in response to such claims.

"Certainly at some stages those frustrations boiled over more than they should have done, but that was only people who were desperate to succeed and wanting to know the other 10 blokes around them were committed 100 per cent to it also.

"Did it overstep the mark a couple of times? Possibly, but we addressed those issues.

“That's what happens in teams, but it certainly wasn't a bullying environment as such."

Quick Single: Anderson not fussed by KP book 

Cook was also disappointed by Pietersen’s attack on wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior, and former coach Andy Flower, both of whom came in for the most direct criticism.

"Matty is a great man and has been a fantastic servant to English cricket," said Cook, after Pietersen referred to him as . "He has to be remembered as a guy who put his heart and soul on the line for England.

“The team was all that mattered to him.

"It's sad that he could be remembered like that. He's put everything in to that England shirt and can be incredibly proud.

“(And) I've known Andy (Flower) since he was a player in the Essex dressing room.

"He took me under his wing as a player and then, obviously, your relationship changes as a coach to a player and then to a head coach and a captain.

"I've only got respect for him, as a man, as a coach.”

Quick Single: Fallout continues over KP’s book