Englands Ashes preparations have been dealt a blow with the news that Kevin Pietersen is struggling with a recurrence of his knee problem. The tourists revealed that the batsman would fly from Hobart – where England had been playing Australia A in a tour game – to Melbourne on Sunday to have an injection in order to reduce the pain. News of Pietersens injury comes soon after wicketkeeper Matt Prior suffering a calf injury on the final game of the rain-hit draw in Hobart. Pietersen missed the home Test series against New Zealand and the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year with a similar problem, but he is expected to make the opening Test in Brisbane on November 21. England team director Andy Flower confirmed that the 33-year-old will be given a cortisone injection that the tourists hope will enable him to take part in their final warm-up match. Kevin has had a slight recurrence of that knee issue, he said. Hell be going to Melbourne for a scan and a cortisone injection - so he wont be travelling with the rest of the team. I dont think its going to be a huge issue. Hes had a couple of these injections before, and theyve been successful. Theyve quietened the problem down, and its obviously an ongoing issue for him. But they have been successful, and we anticipate this one being successful and anticipate him playing a full part in the Ashes tour. We anticipate him playing in the Sydney game. Were doing the jab tomorrow, so hes got a little bit of time for the jab to work before we train on Tuesday. Flower also revealed that England are hopeful Prior wil be fit for the first Test, but Jonny Bairstow is on standby to replace him. His experience is very valuable to us, said Flower. However, if hes injured and unavailable, Bairstow will step in. He is a very good young cricketer and will bring his own qualities to the England side.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 06:53:02 +0000
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