Former Hampshire Cricket star Kevin Pietersen has told Wayne Rooney’s critics: "He should be supported rather than hammered!”

The England batsman has compared the criticism he has endured over his loss of form with the negative publicity Rooney has received recently.

Pietersen said: "We actually know as sportsmen if we are not playing well, if we are letting ourselves down or letting people down, so the more times that people hammer you about it, it doesn't really help.

"I look at the Rooney situation - he's getting killed every single day and it will definitely not be helping the lad and he shouldn't have to go to Dubai to get away from things.

"He should be supported. The man's a genius, he will be a legend of the game and he should be supported rather than be hammered about stuff."