England are confident Kevin Pietersen will be fit to take his place in this summer’s Ashes series despite a setback to his return from injury.
The ECB yesterday revealed that the 32-year-old would miss the two-match Investec Test series against New Zealand next month due to ‘significant bone bruising to his right knee’.
Pietersen will be determined not to be forced on to the sidelines against Australia, having missed the final three matches of the 2009 victory with an achilles problem.
Indeed, he revealed mild concern when he tweeted: ‘Injuries are a sportsman’s worst nightmare! This one is hurting me the most…’ But, in response to supportive messages, he added that he was ‘trying’ to be fit for the five-match campaign against Michael Clarke’s Aussies and had his ‘fingers crossed’.
The prognosis on March 20 was that Pietersen would require an eight-week recovery period and the supportive brace he is currently sporting was scheduled to come off this week.
However, following prolonged discomfort and further consultation with knee specialists in London, it will remain on until he returns from Dubai, where he has been on holiday following promotional commitments with his IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils.
An ECB statement confirmed: ‘Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the upcoming Investec Test series against New Zealand as he continues his recovery from significant bone bruising to his right knee.
Pietersen will have a repeat scan next week to determine when he is able to resume training.
’The Surrey batsman incurred the damage before England’s warm-up match in Queenstown before the series in New Zealand, possibly when he slipped during a fielding drill. And although he played the Tests in Dunedin and Wellington it was evident that he was hampered.He was subsequently withdrawn from the final Test in Auckland and withdrew from his IPL commitments.
Returning Pietersen to full fitness ahead of the Ashes has been a team management priority, as has been nursing off-spinner Graeme Swann back to full health, and there will be no selection risks taken against the New Zealanders.
Meanwhile, Pietersen’s extended absence opens up further opportunity for another Yorkshire player Jonny Bairstow, who is expected to start the international summer as he closed the winter, with a Test place against the New Zealanders in his possession. – Daily Mail
