New Delhi, Oct 7 (NationPress) Piers Morgan has publicly expressed a heartfelt apology to Alastair Cook, the former captain of England, a full 11 years after he referred to him as a ‘weasel’. The media personality frequently criticized Cook during his tenure as the team's skipper.

In his earlier comments, Morgan suggested that Cook was instrumental in Kevin Pietersen’s removal from international cricket in 2013. He had remarked on social media back then: “As for you, Alastair Cook - what a repulsive little weasel you've turned out to be. Aside from the worst-ever Ashes tour captain.”

For years, Morgan maintained that “hell would freeze over” before he would apologize to Cook and Andrew Strauss, the former director of cricket for England, for his remarks.

However, during a recent episode of The Overlap Cricket show, Morgan and Cook shared the screen, leading to a reconciliation over Morgan's past statements.

“Me and Alastair fell out without ever meeting because I still feel that the whole thing was just really badly handled with Kevin Pietersen. I loved watching Kevin Pietersen bat. He had been to me the greatest post-war batsman we produced, certainly the most entertaining,” Morgan stated on the show.

“He was fit as a fiddle; he had been the top scorer in that series, and yet he became the sacrificial lamb who never played for England again. The real victim was the England cricket fan who would have loved to have had another five years with Kevin Pietersen. I just felt the fact he never played again after 33 still to me feels like that should have been better handled,” he continued.

Pietersen exited the England cricket team post the 2013-14 Ashes series due to a significant breakdown in trust between him and the ECB, leading to his controversial dismissal in May 2014.

The ECB cited a “massive issue of trust” and pointed out Pietersen’s perceived lack of commitment, labeling him as “disinterested” and “distracted.” Pietersen, in turn, blamed a “bullying culture” within the team, claiming that coach Andy Flower created a climate of fear that contributed to a hostile environment.

Despite this, Morgan laid blame on Cook for Pietersen’s departure. In his apology, issued 11 years later, Morgan remarked:

“I have to admit I was very full on against you (Alastair) personally, without knowing you. And when I look back at some of the things I tweeted about you, I know you're not on social media, but I did go over the top. So, I will take this opportunity. I’m sorry for the 38 weasel references.”