World Twenty20: No let-up for Kevin Pietersen despite injury.
A world tournament is not the best place to carry an injury but after his match-winning performance for England against Pakistan in the World Twenty20 tournament there is little chance of Kevin Pietersen grabbing a breather before the Ashes.Pietersen admitted last night that he is only 70 per cent fit and needed a painkilling injection to get him through yesterday's crucial Group B game against Pakistan at The Oval.He scored 58 off 38 balls as England set a total of 180 that was enough to ensure passage into the Super Eight stage after losing their opening game against Holland.Pietersen missed the match against the Dutch, with sources suggesting he could barely walk, such was the pain from his right heel.But he was back at The Oval on Sunday and now faces three matches in five days, starting with Thursday's opening Super Eights match at Trent Bridge, where the likely opponents for England will be South Africa.Pietersen's importance to the team's World Twenty20 campaign was underlined in red felt tip by his performance against Pakistan and it is unlikely England will be tempted to rest him ahead of the Ashes series, which begins on July 8."I reckon I'm about 70 per cent fit," said Pietersen. "Hopefully, that is the last of it now because I just love playing. It was a huge evening – I was desperate to play, I've never had an injury that has kept me out. It has been hard to deal with. KP was desperate to play but the decision was made by the medical staff," said Paul Collingwood, the England Twenty20 captain. "He will not be risked. Decisions will be made by the medical staff."
telegraph.co.uk
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