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Mitchell Johnson, Australia's misfiring fast bowler, is at the centre of a tug-of-love involving his mother and his girlfriend.
Johnson struggled horribly as England won the Second Test at Lord's - conceding 200 runs from 39 overs. But now it has been claimed, by former Australia captain Kim Hughes, among others, that Johnson is in pieces off the field because he hasn't spoken to his mother for several months after she suggested her son had been "stolen" by his karate champ fiancee Jessica Bratich.
"I found it incredibly surprising that his mum said what she did," commented Hughes. "Mitchell Johnson is a pretty sensitive young man and now it looks like he is totally devoid of self confidence. This is a young lad who is now battling some pretty serious off-field issues."
Johnson's mother, Vikki Harber, now denies saying that Ms Bratich had taken away her son, although she apparently has not spoken to the 27-year-old fast bowler since January.
"But to say I'm somehow responsible for his form, I can't believe that," Ms Harber was quoted as saying in Australia. "I'm his mum and I'll never stop caring about him."
England are expected to name Ian Bell as Pietersen's replacement this weekend but they may also need to identify a spare batsman in case of more fitness problems, with Jonathan Trott, Bell's Warwickshire team-mate, a strong contender.
