Kevin Pietersen was absent as England’s Ashes squad departed London for Australia on Wednesday after being granted compassionate leave.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said the batsman would join up with the squad in Perth early next week.

It’s believed Pietersen has been given the dispensation following the death of a friend.

The 33-year-old is expected to be available for England’s first warm-up game against Western Australia, starting on October 31.

Pietersen became England’s highest-ever run-scorer in August, when the hosts beat Australia 3-0 to clinch the urn for the third successive series.