England, New Zealand play decisive Test today

Tourists hampered by Pietersen’s absence.

AUCKLAND: England captain Alastair Cook was forced to defend the decision to allow top batsman Kevin Pietersen to play the first two Tests against New Zealand despite being hampered by a knee injury that forced him out of the series decider starting today.

Pietersen withdrew for the third and final match at Eden Park after he played the first two Tests of the series.

“It was done on a game by game basis,” said Cook. “Before every game, you do what you do with every player and assess them before every game. Pietersen’s injury got progressively worse so we made the decision that he would now go home and it will be looked at.”

Cook’s side enter the match at Eden Park as heavy favourites to seal victory. But with the first two Tests badly affected by rain, the match has added significance as the decider — something Pietersen would be sorely missed for.

According to Cook, Johnny Bairstow would come into the side in place of Pietersen. Ian Bell and Joe Root would both move up a spot to accommodate Bairstow.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2013.