England batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the remaining three Ashes Tests against Australia after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday.
Pietersen has struggled with the problem throughout the opening two Tests of the Ashes series and, after being assessed by a leading specialist on Wednesday, it was decided that surgery was the best option.
The 29-year-old has been ruled out for six weeks and he admitted it was massive blow to be sidelined while England, who lead the series 1-0 after winning the second Test at Lord’s, try to regain the Ashes.
”As an England cricketer the Ashes are the pinnacle of the game so I’m absolutely devastated to be missing the rest of this series,” Pietersen said.
”Up until now the Achilles 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 now that the decision has been made to undergo surgery I’m confident I can return to the England team injury-free following a course of rehabilitation.”
Pietersen, whose top score in the series was just 69, had hoped to play through the pain barrier for the rest of the series, but ECB Chief Medical Officer Nick Peirce admitted it was impossible to expect him to produce top-class performances while he was in so much discomfort.
”Following a consultation, involving scans and testing, with the world’s leading Achilles specialist Kevin Pietersen underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon,” Peirce said in an ECB statement.
”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.
”Despite conventional conservative treatments to the tendon with trial periods of rest and rehabilitation, Kevin continued to be in significant discomfort and is currently unable to run or even walk comfortably.
”He had a strong desire to get through the Ashes series but despite this he has recently been unable to achieve a maximum level of performance.
”A number of short-term measures were considered but having been reviewed by the specialist, who flew into London from Sweden specifically, it was felt that anything else would put the tendon at risk and jeopardise his long term recovery.”
Although Pietersen, who orginally suffered the injury against the West Indies earlier this year, 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 needed pain-killing injections to get through the match but the problem has got even worse after the heavy wear and tear of a five-day Test.
”I was pleased with the previous course of treatment as it allowed me to take part in this Ashes series but unfortunately the injury has recently deteriorated,” Pietersen said.
”To leave a winning dressing room at this time is heartbreaking 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 absence is a massive blow to England’s hopes of holding onto their series lead. Andrew Strauss’ side are already keeping their fingers crossed that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff can make it through the rest of the series.
Flintoff is struggling with a knee injury that has forced him to announce his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes.
Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell is likely to come into contention as one of the main contenders to replace Pietersen. — AFP
