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Pietersen suffers fractured rib | Pietersen suffers fractured rib |
(20 minutes later) | |
England batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the rest of the one-day series in Australia after suffering a fractured rib in their opening game. | England batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the rest of the one-day series in Australia after suffering a fractured rib in their opening game. |
He was hit by a ball from Glenn McGrath as he advanced down the pitch during Friday's match in Melbourne and will be out for three to five weeks. | He was hit by a ball from Glenn McGrath as he advanced down the pitch during Friday's match in Melbourne and will be out for three to five weeks. |
Pietersen continued his innings after treatment from team physio Dean Conway but was out soon after for 82. | Pietersen continued his innings after treatment from team physio Dean Conway but was out soon after for 82. |
He was then sent to hospital for a scan which confirmed the fracture. | He was then sent to hospital for a scan which confirmed the fracture. |
Interview: England batsman Kevin Pietersen | Interview: England batsman Kevin Pietersen |
"I have been hit quite a few times in my career and I thought I wouldbe okay with a bit of ice. | |
"When it hit me I couldn't breathe for a couple of minutes but I knew it wasa bit more serious than previous times. | |
"It restricted my breathing and it restricted my strokeplay which wasfrustrating because I wanted to get a hundred," said Pietersen. | |
"I'm really down at the moment to be leaving Australia without a victory under our belt. Every single one of the guys is hurting but they will come our fighting." | "I'm really down at the moment to be leaving Australia without a victory under our belt. Every single one of the guys is hurting but they will come our fighting." |
Losing Pietersen is a massive blow to England's chances of reaching the final of the triangular Commonwealth Bank Series, which also involves New Zealand. | Losing Pietersen is a massive blow to England's chances of reaching the final of the triangular Commonwealth Bank Series, which also involves New Zealand. |
Prior to the game in Melbourne, Pietersen had scored 1,500 runs in 41 one-day games at an average of 55, and with a strike rate of 95 per 100 balls. | Prior to the game in Melbourne, Pietersen had scored 1,500 runs in 41 one-day games at an average of 55, and with a strike rate of 95 per 100 balls. |
And the signs of damage were clear on Pietersen's torso | And the signs of damage were clear on Pietersen's torso |
His tactic of going down the wicket to McGrath in order to try to prevent him settling on a consistent length was one which he tried during the Test series against Australia, but cost him his wicket in the first innings in the final Test in Sydney. | His tactic of going down the wicket to McGrath in order to try to prevent him settling on a consistent length was one which he tried during the Test series against Australia, but cost him his wicket in the first innings in the final Test in Sydney. |
He tried it again as England looked to set the home side a challenging target at the MCG, but made no contact as he swung across the line and the ball struck him in the ribs. | He tried it again as England looked to set the home side a challenging target at the MCG, but made no contact as he swung across the line and the ball struck him in the ribs. |
606 DEBATE: Who should replace Pietersen? | 606 DEBATE: Who should replace Pietersen? |
Pietersen, who was 73 not out at the time, immediately clutched his right side in agony, raising fears that the injury might be serious. | Pietersen, who was 73 not out at the time, immediately clutched his right side in agony, raising fears that the injury might be serious. |
But the prognosis for his recovery means he should be fit in time for the World Cup, which begins in the Caribbean on 13 March. | But the prognosis for his recovery means he should be fit in time for the World Cup, which begins in the Caribbean on 13 March. |
"I'll go home and get my fitness back as fast as I can and come back stronger for the bigger picture, which is the World Cup," he added. | "I'll go home and get my fitness back as fast as I can and come back stronger for the bigger picture, which is the World Cup," he added. |
England now need to call up a replacement but when asked who he thought it should be, Pietersen replied: "I'm no selector. I'm just distraught to be going home." | England now need to call up a replacement but when asked who he thought it should be, Pietersen replied: "I'm no selector. I'm just distraught to be going home." |