Prior pledges to respond to KP's 'back-stabbing' claims

England wicketkeeper batsman Matt Prior has reportedly pledged to respond to former international teammate Kevin Pietersen's claims that he was back-stabbing and a bad influence on the team.

Pietersen made the accusations while promoting his autobiography ahead of the release on Thursday. The South Africa-born batsman, who was axed by England earlier this year, claimed that there had been a bullying culture under former head coach Andy Flower, but saved his most stinging criticism for Prior.

Responding on Twitter, Prior posted that he is obviously sad to see the accusations against himself and he would have his right of reply. However, he added that it is not the day currently and Twitter is not the place for it, Sport24 reported.

Prior further tweeted that now he is back to his Achilles rehab and learning to walk again. He also joked that he is looking forward to reading the full KP book and added that he might bully his kids into getting it for him for Christmas.

Pietersen claimed that 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.

Pietersen said that the double standard for him was the bigger thing, adding that if one of them messed up nothing was ever said and Prior left them alone. But he said that Prior never left alone Nick Compton or Ravi Bopara or Jonathan Trott.

The batsman had also said that he went after Prior and said that Prior shouldn't be in that side because he's a bad influence, a negative influence and he picks on players, adding that the wicketkeeper is back-stabbing, horrendous and is bad for the environment.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that it was impossible for them to comment on Pietersen's claims prior to the publication of his book.

Image: Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior of England

Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images