Pietersen injury blow for England

Kevin Pietersen will miss the final Test against New Zealand with a knee injury which may also sideline him from the return series in England.

Pietersen faces a “six-to-eight-week” rehabilitation period at best and he and his advisers have already accepted he will therefore be absent as well from his planned Indian Premier League campaign with the Delhi 
Daredevils next month.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement revealed that Pietersen, who has been complaining of pain in his right knee since before the start of the ongoing three-Test series against the Kiwis, may have “possible cartilage damage”.

Even the most optimistic reading of his injury prognosis gives him the tightest of schedules to return in time for the first of two home Tests against the Kiwis in May.

England’s immediate concern will, however, be how to replace Pietersen for the final Test 
starting in Auckland today, with the series still 0-0 after two rain-affected stalemates.

Jonny Bairstow is the only available specialist batsman who can step in.