Long Ashes campaign left England 'mentally fragile', says Kevin Pietersen Swing and a miss: Kevin Pietersen is bowled by Mitchell Johnson on day two at the MCG. A candid Kevin Pietersen admits England have been mentally fragile this summer, worn down by the unprecedented pressure and time away from home demanded by back-to-back Ashes series. In an interview aired on Saturday, the polarising England batsman defended the wild slog that brought his downfall on day two of the fourth Test at the MCG, but said the challenges Alastair Cook's team had faced in the series had not been restricted to inside the rope. He said backing up after the euphoria of England's 3-0 Ashes win in August for a lengthy tour of Australia had been difficult. "I think people shouldn't forget, and it's never been done before, that guys have got to go and endure 10 back-to-back Ashes Test matches," Pietersen told Britain's Sky Sports television. I've been told that a number of Olympic athletes go into some sort of post-Olympic depression or a negative frame of mind - and I'm not saying we're in a depression or a negative frame of mind - but after you've competed at such a level, post that competition, mentally you're a bit fragile. To play an Ashes then another Ashes, and for us being away from home, it's a tough gig. It's been an incredibly pressurised situation. Playing back-to-back Ashes series and being away for the second leg, and not starting in the manner that we are accustomed to ... it's been incredibly difficult. England's troubles in Australia have included losing two senior players: Jonathan Trott, who returned home after the first Test in Brisbane with a stress-related illness, and Graeme Swann, who announced his immediate retirement before the Boxing Day Test. Pietersen has also been heavily criticised. The 33-year-old was even tagged a "mug" by former England opener Geoffrey Boycott after the third Test in Perth where Pietersen heaved a delivery from Nathan Lyon down the throat of Ryan Harris at long on, and had his international future questioned. There has also been speculation about Pietersen causing disharmony in the England ranks, with Swann's parting comment that some players had their "heads up their own backsides" interpreted as being a shot at Pietersen until a flat denial of that by the spin bowler. Pietersen has not been alone in under-performing in surrendering the Ashes after only three matches but, saddled with enormous expectations thanks to his record and reputation, the scrutiny on him has been greater than anyone. "This game is a great leveller," Pietersen said. If you start believing people when they say you're great it's going to hurt you. If you start believing people when they call you a mug that's also going to hurt you. We just want to try and salvage some pride. We want to try and turn things around. A primary focus has been on Pietersen's mode of dismissals in Australia. Branded selfish after playing outlandish shots throughout the series, he changed tack in Melbourne, imitating Boycott in a way with a stubborn display, only to come unstuck with a reckless swing at Mitchell Johnson early on Friday. He was aware of the explosive reaction to his exit but in terms of public reaction to his batting style he believes he can't win. "I know it's a bit of a talking point," Pietersen said. I don't know what the numbers are on our tail, but as soon as [Tim] Bresnan got out, I was under the impression that I had to do all the scoring and take all the strike. Look, I get out for nought, I get nailed. I get out for 70 ... I was playing for the team's cause to try and score as many runs as possible as quick as possible because I knew I was going to have to do it. Australia have bowled incredibly well with great plans and sometimes you've just got to say 'well done'. I was a bit fortunate on a couple of occasions, but that's what happens. I've been unfortunate on a couple of occasions on this trip as well. But I call it the cycle of life. These things happen. You win some and you lose some. If you take all the good days you've got to take the bad days with it as well. Total votes: 3735. Vote now: Action on sledging