England one-day coach Ashley Giles insists England can win the ICC Champions Trophy without Kevin Pietersen if the batsman’s injured right knee does require surgery.
After Pietersen missed the final Test in New Zealand last month, initial fears that he needed an operation were allayed when it was claimed that rest and rehab would provide a cure.
Injury blow: Giles (left) says England can win without Pietersen (right)
But it is now thought he may need surgery to be fully fit for back-to-back Ashes series, leading to worries about his availability for the two-Test series against New Zealand next month, as well as the Champions Trophy.
But Giles feels England can win a first global 50-over trophy without him. ‘We’re all hoping Kevin will be OK because he is a key player,’ said Giles.
‘But you’ve got to be confident you can cope without him, otherwise you might as well not turn up.
‘It’s not about one player. It’s going to take a team effort to win a trophy like that, and different guys must step up to the plate.Kevin Pietersen can change a game in half an hour, but we have others as well.’
Pietersen hit successive tons in the final two games of England’s 4-0 win over Pakistan in February.
Without him they thrashed West Indies and Australia and drew with world No 1 South Africa (2-2).
England lost 3-2 when Pietersen returned against India, but beat the Kiwis 2-1 when he was rested for the ODIs.
