Axed England batsman Kevin Pietersen claimed yesterday that he tried to help Jonathan Trott after first noticing the problems that forced his early Ashes departure.

Trott left Australia after the first Ashes Test last November due to a stress-related illness, with Pietersen apparently the first on tour to spot his team-mate was struggling to handle the pressure.

Pietersen has also claimed he was well-liked in the England dressing-room, despite reports to the contrary following the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to call time on his international career in the wake of the 5-0 whitewash.

“He has said that I was the first person to notice his problem,” Pietersen said.

“I told him that he needed to calm down and he was putting too much pressure on himself.

“Contrary to popular belief, I have a very good relationship with most of the guys in the English dressing room. I like to look after them.

“If someone is struggling, I like to go up and put an arm around him.”

Trott began his bid to return to the England team earlier this month after making a pre-season return with Warwickshire.

The right-hander made just four in his comeback friendly against Gloucestershire in Birmingham, before again failing to make double figures on Tuesday as his team-mates otherwise piled on 388 for seven against Oxford University.

Despite not yet rediscovering his batting touch, Pietersen is confident Trott is on track to recover his England place.

“He is doing quite well now,” Pietersen added.

“He came down with his wife during the opening of my new salon last week and he was looking much better.”

Pietersen will begin life after England when the new Indian Premier League season starts next week.

The 33-year-old will play his first game for the Delhi Daredevils in Sharjah on April 17.