Infected scar tissue delays Kevin Pietersen's comeback

Tom Collomosse
11 Aug 2009

Kevin Pietersen faces a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from surgery on his Achilles tendon.

The England batsman was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series when he underwent an operation on 22 July after the Second npower Test at Lord's and it was initially thought that he would be absent for only six weeks.

But it was revealed today that Pietersen had developed an infection in the scar tissue following the operation, meaning that his recovery will be delayed.

Pietersen had hoped to be fit for England's seven one-day internationals against Australia in September and there had even been talk of a return for the two Twenty20 internationals against the tourists, on 30 August and 1 September.

Pietersen has been battling the Achilles tendon problem since West Indies toured this country, when he was forced to miss the three one-day internationals against Chris Gayle's team.

He then missed the first game of England's World Twenty20 campaign against Holland but was included in the team for the following matches against Pakistan, South Africa, India and West Indies.

The 29-year-old played in the first two Ashes Tests but was in obvious discomfort at Cardiff and Lord's and it was no surprise when he was forced to withdraw from the remaining three matches.

Pietersen has strongly denied speculation that he aggravated the injury during his stint in the Indian Premier League with Bangalore Royal Challengers in April.

This afternoon the ECB said in a statement that Pietersen would be discharged from hospital tomorrow.

There was better news on Andrew Flintoff (knee) and Jimmy Anderson (hamstring) who should both be fit for the final Ashes Test at The Brit Oval next week.