Kevin Pietersen labels England Ashes squad ‘horrendous’ and Michael Vaughan says series Down Under already lost

KEVIN PIETERSEN has labelled England’s Ashes squad “horrendous” while former captain Michael Vaughan believes the series “is looking like being lost” already.

On the night a shocking video emerged of vice-captain Ben Stokes PUNCHING two people outside a Bristol nightclub, Pietersen pulled no punches himself in his withering assessment.

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Taking to Twitter, the ex-England captain wrote: “Before bed, I have a comment on England’s Ashes squad – it’s horrendous! They may as well not go!”

Soon after he posted this, The Sun exclusively released a video of Stokes’ indiscretions that could see him sacked from his role with the squad.

Pietersen decided he wasn’t finished there, taking to Twitter once more.

He wrote: “Oh no! Just seen tomorrow’s front page and video!

“Cancel England’s flights please!”

He then added: “I actually really feel sorry for [Joe] Root, [Alastair] Cook, [Jimmy] Anderson and [Stuart] Broad! Now I’m going to bed!”

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Vaughan, skipper in the epic 2005 Ashes win, tweeted: "The Ashes are looking like being lost even before England arrive in Australia."

After apparently seeing the clip of Stokes fighting in the street, Vaughan added: "What a complete and utter F Up..."

Shocking footage acquired by The Sun shows Stokes, 26, thumping two men during the brawl in Bristol at 2.35am on Monday.

He was arrested for suspected actual bodily harm and released without charge while police investigate.

The video will form a key part of England supremo Andrew Strauss’s probe into the behaviour of Stokes, Alex Hales and up to five team-mates.

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Strauss is threatening to fine or suspend players while head coach Trevor Bayliss blasted his team as “unprofessional” and is considering an Ashes curfew.

It is almost inconceivable that Stokes can remain as captain Joe Root’s deputy for the tour and, once ECB chiefs have seen the footage, he could also be fined and suspended.

The Ashes party is due to fly to Australia on October 28, with the First Test in Brisbane on November 23.

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