Australia captain Michael Clarke says England will be a weaker side without batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Clarke was speaking before his departure for the Caribbean where Australia plays two Tests against the West Indies en route to England for the five-Test Ashes series.
"We go there soon to play against England so any team without Kevin Pietersen in it, I don't think is as strong, Like I say, I think his statistics speak for themselves. He's been a wonderful player over a long period of time and he's obviously still in career best form."
Pietersen was sacked by England last year following the 2013-14 trip to Australia during which he was accused of being disengaged from the team as the tourists crashed to a 5-0 defeat.
The 34-year-old has been England's most prolific batsman in all forms of the game.
But he was told last week he would not be part of the side for the Ashes this year.
The two test tour of the West Indies starts in Dominica on June 3rd.
