Painkiller jabs lead to Ashes fears for Kevin Pietersen

Although the England hierarchy insist there is no problem with Pietersen's fitness, the 29-year-old appears to still be struggling with a weakness in his Achilles tendon.

The England and Wales Cricket Board were forced to deny reports yesterday that Pietersen had only a 50-50 chance of playing in the Second Test, but it has since emerged that he has required two painkilling injections in little more than a week.

Pietersen had a jab in his Achilles on Tuesday and was also given one in his back prior to the drawn opening Test at Cardiff last week.

He was also seen limping during his first-innings knock of 69 at Sophia Gardens, although Pietersen insisted that this was simply due to stiffness in his calf after resuming his road-running programme.

The pain in Pietersen's heel is related to a nerve problem in his back and he had an injection into the base of his spine on 5 June - the day of England's World Twenty20 humiliation by Holland, which Pietersen missed through injury. The need for such measures so early in the series will be a major concern for England followers given the remaining schedule of four high-intensity Test matches over the next five-and-a-half weeks.

Pietersen believes the only long-term cure for his problem would be three months' complete rest but he would not consider such a move until after the Ashes.

It could, however, mean him missing the two Twenty20 matches and seven one-day internationals against Australia which follow the Tests.

The Hampshire batsman would also have to sit out the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa in September, as well as the Indian Premier League's Champions League tournament - which features Pietersen's Bangalore franchise - in October.

The question marks over Pietersen follow on from the fitness concerns surrounding Andrew Flintoff, who yesterday announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of this series, claiming his body cannot cope with the demands of the modern game.

Flintoff is determined to leave the five-day arena on a high and had to have three cortisone injections in different parts of his right knee after the Cardiff Test to give him the best possible chance of being available at Lord's.

Flintoff insists he is comfortable with such a measure, but Australia captain Ricky Ponting cast doubt on the wisdom of such intensive treatment.

"I didn't know he had had those injections, but I would be a little bit concerned if that were the case," said Ponting.

"I am sure there will be a bit of a circus around Flintoff leaving the Test arena.

"It could create some distractions, and if that were the case, it could be good for us. We will have to see how it plays out, but knowing the stature Freddie has in the English game, it could turn into a farewell tour.

"Whenever he is in the team, the crowd get involved, and you can see the fans here are very passionate about watching Andrew Flintoff play."

Ponting was on the receiving end when Flintoff inspired England to Ashes glory four years ago and the Tasmanian added: "When you have someone in your side in that class as an all-rounder you do rely on them a hell of a lot. They get a chance to do it with the ball and a chance to do it at number six or seven with the bat."

Flintoff's former England coach Duncan Fletcher today expressed concern about the 31-year-old's fitness during the series. He said: "I am a bit surprised about the timing of the announcement.
"Could the knee affect the aggression he will want to show? It could be a danger."

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