London, July 22 (Inditop.com) England’s Ashes hopes suffered a severe blow as Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the rest of the series following a surgery that rules him out of cricket for six weeks.
“As an England cricketer the Ashes are the pinnacle of the game, so I’m absolutely devastated,” said Pietersen.
“Up until now the injury has been manageable but it recently reached the point where we needed to look at other options in terms of treatment. I hate missing matches for England and especially during an Ashes summer but I’m confident I can return to the England team injury-free following a course of rehabilitation,” he was quoted as saying in the English media.
Pietersen first faced this problem earlier this summer and sat out the one-day series against the West Indies to recuperate. But the combination of rest and painkilling injections could not get him through the remaining three Ashes Tests with England leading 1-0.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief medical officer Nick Peirce confirmed that Pietersen would not take part in the remaining Ashes.
“Following a consultation, involving scans and testing, with the world’s leading Achilles specialist, Kevin Pietersen today underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon,” Peirce said.
“The operation involved a small incision and trimming of the blood vessels and nerves around the inflamed tendon and appears, at this early stage, to have been routine.
“Kevin will look to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to ensure there is no risk of recurrence. This is expected to be approximately six weeks but will be taken at an appropriate pace following constant review.”
Although Pietersen played in the 115-run victory over Australia at Lord’s, he spent lengthy spells off the field and was clearly in pain when running.
He said it would be heartbreaking for him to leave a winning dressing room at this time.
“But it wouldn’t be fair to the team or myself to continue given the severity of the injury. I’ll be supporting the team closely and wish them the best of luck as they look to build on the brilliant win at Lord’s and reclaim the Ashes.”
Pietersen’s withdrawal means Ian Bell is set to come in for next week’s third Test at Edgbaston. England coach Andy Flower had indicated the Warwickshire batsman, who has been in impressive form for his county, was next in line, having been included in the squad for the first two Tests.
rounak