Dominic Cork says the English cricket authorities should give a full explanation about Marcus Trescothick's premature return from the Indian tour.
The original statement from the England camp said Trescothick quit for personal reasons, but the player said on Tuesday he had been hit by a mystery bug.
Ex-England bowler Cork said further clarification was now needed.
"Why's it taken two months for this to come out? If he's got a virus let's say it from the off," he told BBC Sport.
Cork accused Duncan Fletcher and the ECB of provoking unnecessary suspicion about Trescothick's sudden return home.
"I just think there's been so many mixed messages sent out and I don't blame Marcus Trescothick, I actually blame the ECB," said Cork.
"One thing's coming from Duncan Fletcher and then something else is coming from the ECB - it needs to just be clarified exactly what was happening."
"Let's just be open because everybody's going to be suspicious about what it is and everybody's going to question it."
Virus forced Trescothick off tour
At the time of his Trescothick's departure, England coach Duncan Fletcher said the player was flying home for family reasons.
On Tuesday, Trescothick admitted that spending long periods away from his family was becoming an issue but said the main reason he had to quit the tour was because a bug had left him feeling fatigued.