The Ashes: KP an outcast says Warne

England coach Andy Flower has flatly rejected claims from Shane Warne that England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen feels like an "outcast".

As a relaxed England squad had a day off training on Monday ahead of Thursday's first Ashes test in Brisbane, Flower was forced to defend the treatment of Pietersen.

Warne, a close friend of Pietersen's, has described the South African-born batsman's treatment when forced out as captain last year and axed from the England one-day and Twenty20 sides this year as "ordinary" and claimed he'd made to feel "as if he's a bit of an outcast".

He described Pietersen as a "walking ego" who struts around, sometimes making him unpopular with team-mates, but said it was important to make him feel like he's "the man".

"He (Pietersen) is anything but an outcast," Flower told reporters in Brisbane.

"He's a good guy to have around in the dressing room, a great player to have on your side, a very dangerous player that the opposition worry about.

"We expect great things from him and we expect him to take part in team dynamics like everyone else and that's what he does."

Pietersen averages 50.72 in 12 tests against Australia.

"Kevin does like the big stage and that's one of the great things about him as a competitive athlete," Flower said.

"He enjoys the pressure situations. He enjoys the chance to bat brilliantly while everyone's watching.

"That's part of what makes up a very fine competitor."

Flower said he was not concerned about Pietersen's dismissal, bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe for five in last week's match against Australia A in Hobart, or Australia's selection of left-arm slow bowler Xavier Doherty in their squad for the first test.

Left-arm orthodox spin bowlers have dismissed Pietersen 17 times in his 66-test career and have also taken his wicket in 15 one-day internationals and six times in 28 T20 matches for England.

"I thought he got quite a good ball the other day. It drifted and just turned a bit at reasonable pace," Flower said.

"Kevin's had a lot of success against left-arm spinners.

"He's playing very well. He missed out in Hobart but I think he's feeling very confident about his game and I expect him to do well."

Flower said fourth-ranked England were keen to grab the No 1 spot and the Ashes were another stepping stone along the way.

Beating Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane would also present a challenge, he said.

"They (Australia) have got an outstanding record here. In the last 20 games they've won 16 and drawn four," Flower said.

"That's going to be quite a record to turn over."

- AAP