England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s recovery from an Achilles injury has been delayed due to a complication following surgery, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Tuesday.
“He [Pietersen] was seen by a wound care specialist yesterday and will receive a course of antibiotics in order to exclude infection,” an ECB statement read. “Medical advice is that a complication can occur post surgery and in this case resulted despite Kevin closely following specialist advice on management of the wound.”
The 29-year-old right-hander was ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series following surgery after the second Test against Australia.
“He will be reassessed by the specialist later this week and will return to his planned program of rehabilitation once the wound has fully healed,” the statement added.
His absence in England’s Ashes side has coincided with some poor batting performances and the series is now tied at 1-1 with one match remaining at the Oval starting on Thursday next week.
The South African-born Pietersen, who averages 49.96 from 54 Tests, has scored 4,647 runs including 16 centuries since making his debut against Australia in 2005.
Once the Test series is over, England play Australia in a one-off Twenty20 international on Sept. 1 followed by a seven-match one-day international series starting on Sept. 4.
They then travel to South Africa to compete in the Champions Trophy starting with a match against Sri Lanka on Sept. 25.
■AUSSIE SELECTORS DITHER
REUTERS, SYDNEY
Paceman Stuart Clark is not guaranteed a place in Australia’s team for the fifth and deciding Ashes Test against England despite his strong performance at Headingley, chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said yesterday.
Clark was overlooked for the first three Tests but played a prominent role when he was recalled for last week’s fourth match, which Australia won to square the series at 1-1.
Australia’s selectors were widely criticized for not picking Clark earlier, but Hilditch said they were right to choose Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle ahead of him.
“Although they’ve probably taken a bit of time to hit their straps, the reality is all three are now the leading wicket-takers in the Ashes, so I think all those selections have been absolutely spot-on,” Hilditch rold reporters in Australia.
“Stuart Clark got the nod and he did a good job but the other three bowled exceptionally well as well and took more wickets. So I think we go into the final Test with those three fast bowlers as our leading bowlers at the moment,” Hilditch said.
With Johnson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle seemingly assured of their places for the last Test at The Oval, the biggest issue facing Australia’s selectors is whether to stick with Clark or recall spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Fast bowler Brett Lee will also be available after recovering from injury but The Oval’s reputation as a wicket that suits spin bowlers could give Hauritz the advantage.
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