by on Friday, April 26th, 2013
Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the Champions Trophy but should be fully fit for the start of the Ashes. Pietersen’s bruised knee will keep him out of the tournament in June but England remain confident he will be able to play two four-day matches before the first Test against Australia at Trent Bridge on July 10.
It is a huge blow to England’s chances of finally winning their first global 50-over competition but the news could prove a blessing in disguise as their star batsman should now be fully fit and fresh for the Ashes. A second MRI scan on the right knee Pietersen injured ahead of England’s warm-up match in Queenstown showed some improvement to a problem that has not required surgery.
Yet with England having to name their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy next week, the safest move is to rule Pietersen out. It is reasonable to assume Pietersen is prepared to sacrifice his 50-over place to ensure he suffers no further setbacks ahead of what is sure to be his last home Ashes series. The target now is for him to play for Surrey in a four-day game against Yorkshire in June and for England in a pre-Ashes warm-up match against Essex at Chelmsford which precedes the first Test.
England have, however, had some positive news on the injury front today with seamer Tim Bresnan returning to the County Championship action with Yorkshire for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery. The Yorkshireman took four for 41 against Durham at Chester-le-Street after he last week made his competitive return in a friendly against Lancashire.
England also expect to have spinner Graeme Swann back to full fitness next month as he also had elbow surgery after he was forced home before the Test series in New Zealand began.
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