When Kevin Pietersen was named England captain in August, we knew we were in for a bumpy ride.

The only surprise is that it is over so quickly.

KP has at least lasted longer in the post than Hampshire’s previous England captains (CB Fry had less than four months in charge in 1912 and Lord Tennyson led England for seven weeks in 1921).

But after a five-month stint comprising 12 one-day internationals, three Tests and a ten-wicket humiliation in the inaugural match against the Stanford Superstars, it is all over for Pietersen.

Before taking the England job five months ago, a couple of Nottinghamshire second XI outings was the only captaincy experience on Pietersen’s CV with the exception of one-day international defeat against New Zealand in June.

But he began well, with a 4-0 ODI series win against South Africa in the summer following a Test win against his home nation, albeit a dead rubber after the Proteas had sealed the series.

His reign as captain ended within two months of encountering his first real captaincy problems on the subcontinent, an unforgiving place to tour at the best of times.

After a 5-0 one-day series defeat in India that might have been heavier had it not been for the terrorism in Mumbai, Pietersen received widespread respect for the way he led his team back last month to play the two scheduled Tests.

However, his lack of experience was all too evident in Chennai as India won the second of his three Tests as England captain by six wickets – despite being set 387 to win.

That was a major blow to Pietersen’s pride as England suffered what is now a famous defeat despite Andrew Strauss, the man who has replaced him as captain, becoming the first England player to score hundreds in each innings of a Test match on the sub continent.

Pietersen’s lack of tactical nous was brutally exposed as Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh ensured India scored the fourth-highest fourth innings total to win a Test match (South Africa’s successful chase of 414 to beat Australia in Perth relegated it to fifth place a few weeks later).

The two-Test series ended 1-0 to India and when Pietersen’s wish for the out-of-form-but-experienced Michael Vaughan to be recalled was ignored last week, his already tense relationship with Peter Moores was at breaking point.

Pietersen is used to getting his own way.

He left South Africa to pursue a career with England because he believed the post-apartheid quota policy limited his chances to progress.

And he left Nottinghamshire for Hampshire as he fell out with Mick Newell, a coach and a character not dissimilar to Moores.

Pietersen’s Notts teammates did not like his attitude and that came to a head when Jason Gallian, the captain at Trent Bridge at the time, hurled his star batsman’s kit bag off the Trent Bridge balcony in 2003.

Hampshire’s players respect Pietersen for the professionalism he has shown on the few occasions he has worn the county’s colours since becoming an England contracted player in 2005.

But many of the England players were unimpressed with Pietersen for treating Moores with the same disrespect he showed to Newell and others at Notts.

He had little choice but to fall on his sword and after an ECB teleconference on Tuesday night, the relevant statements were finally announced yesterday evening following a day of online rumour and counter-rumour initiated by Sky Sports News.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove reflected the views of many when he said: “The whole thing seems rather draconian but the most unfortunate thing is that the whole thing has been so public. It would have been far better for it to be kept in house and then for the ECB to then issue a reasoned comment.”

Having shown what he is capable of by leaving South Africa and then Notts in fits of pique, there was the possibility that instead of touring the West Indies, Pietersen would tout his wares around the Indian Premier League franchises.

Fortunately for England fans, he has said he will settle back into the ranks and concentrate on scoring the Test runs he knows he needs to be remembered as a great batsman – with the unfortunate Moores out of the picture.

But Pietersen will have to do so knowing he did not have the support of his teammates when he issued his Moores-goes-or-I-do ultimatum.

Of more importance is how England respond to Strauss’s captaincy on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.

Choosing a new coach will not be as easy but finding the right chemistry is essential with the Ashes up for grabs in six months’ time.

A decision is likely within the next ten days.

As for Hampshire, at least they have one England captain still in situ. Liam Dawson’s first game as captain of the England U19s is against South Africa in Cape Town next week.

For reaction to Kevin Pietersen's resignation as England captain, don't miss today's Daily Echo.