Kevin Pietersen leaves the field after being dismissed by Australia A swing bowler Trent Copeland during England's tour match in Hobart. Photo: Gareth Copley Source: Getty Images INJURIES and bad weather are threatening to derail England's Ashes campaign, with star batsman Kevin Pietersen fearing he may break down.
Pietersen was forced to fly to Melbourne on Sunday for a cortisone injection to an damaged knee, while wicket-keeper Matt Prior requires a scan on a calf strain suffered during England's washed out match against Australia A.
The first Test begins in Brisbane on Thursday week.
Hobart's weather has served as a major hindrance to England's Ashes preparations."I'm working on my legs, hoping my legs hold up because I've had the knee issue, so I've just got to make sure the rehab continues," Pietersen told the ECB website.
"Because I could break down and I don't want to break down.
"I want to play the whole series."
Pietersen has not played international cricket for two months after suffering the knee injury against New Zealand and put off surgery with the hope of playing in the Ashes.
He made scores of 6, 5 and 0 to finish the one-day series against Australia in England last September and did not play again until last week against Australia A in Hobart.
England's Ashes preparations have suffered a further setback with an injury scare to Matt Prior.Pietersen missed the opening match of the tour in Perth after travelling to a friend's memorial service in South Africa, arriving in Australia three days after his team mates.
With more than two days of rain in Hobart ruining the four-day match against Australia A, Pietersen was able to bat only once, scoring eight in 10 balls.
England's last lead-up match is a four-day game against an invitation XI in Sydney, which has a dodgy weather forecast all week.
Coach Andy Flower is still hopeful Pietersen will be able play in the match, beginning on Wednesday.
"Kevin has had a slight reoccurrence of that knee issue, and he'll be going to Melbourne for a scan and a cortisone injection," Flower said.
"I don't think it's going to be a huge issue. He's had a couple of these injections before, and they've been successful.
"They've quietened the problem down, and it's 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.
"He's got a little bit of time for the jab to work before we train on Tuesday.
"We anticipate him playing in the Sydney game."
No comments:
Post a Comment