Pietersen ruled out of New Zealand series

England batsman hoping to recover from knee injury before Ashes in July.

LONDON:

Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of next month’s home Test series with New Zealand due to a knee injury, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The 32-year-old had already been ruled out of the final Test match away to New Zealand due to the persistent problem in his right knee.

He was originally expected to miss six to eight weeks and has now been discounted from the two-match series.

“Pietersen has been ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand as he continues his recovery from bone bruising to his right knee,” said the ECB on their Twitter feed.

“Pietersen will have a repeat scan next week to determine when he is able to resume training.”

The flamboyant batsman said he was keeping his ‘fingers crossed’ that he will return to fitness in time for England’s defence of the Ashes against Australia, which begins at Trent Bridge on July 10.

“Injuries are a sportsman’s worst nightmare! This one is hurting me the most,” he said on Twitter.

The Surrey and Delhi Daredevils right-hander first suffered pain in his knee during a warm-up game in New Zealand before the drawn away Test series in March.

The talented batsman was withdrawn from the 2013 Indian Premier League season, which is currently in progress, due to the injury, which consists of bruising on the bone and cartilage damage in the kneecap.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.