England captain Alastair Cook expects the reasons behind Kevin Pietersen's controversial axing to be made public soon.

The mystery surrounding the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to call time on Pietersen's international career has remained unanswered in the fall-out of the winter's 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

The ECB have suggested they are not yet in a position to reveal why Pietersen's glittering career was cut short - a position Cook reiterated yesterday.

Cook admitted it was "frustrating" not to be able to provide any clarity to the situation, which has hardly been aided by England's faltering fortunes on the field without their former talisman, although he suggested an answer may be forthcoming soon.

"I can't actually answer that question, totally, at this precise moment in time which is incredibly frustrating for me," he said.

"Everyone will say I'm sitting on the fence, but there are a number of reasons which will become clearer soon. You have to respect the decision and the position I am in at this precise moment in time.

"Everyone is going to keep asking that question until we give the answers, but at the moment we just can't so I'd love to talk about something slightly different."

In the wake of the ECB's decision - which was announced in February - there has been a public outcry for answers, most pointedly from high-profile media figure, and Pietersen ally, Piers Morgan.

Cook suggested those voices have hardly helped matters.

"It is frustrating," he added.

"If anyone thinks the decision was taken lightly and without a lot of consideration and a lot of thought - a lot of things went into the decision.

"It was a tough decision. The decisions will be made clearer in due course. You just have to respect that at the moment. It is frustrating. That is the position I'm in."