Kevin Pietersen

England’s celebrations after beating South Africa in a nailbiting encounter were shortlived as Kevin Pietersen’s hernia injury returned to haunt him and ruled him out for the rest of the World Cup. The England Cricket Board (ECB) and Pietersen were confident of managing the injury until the end of the World Cup, after which he was scheduled to undergo a surgery due to which he would have missed the IPL. But he complained of soreness after bowling eight crucial overs that helped England restrict the Proteas and the ECB decided not to risk him any further and fly him home where he would undergo the surgery.

Pietersen picked up a groin injury during the ODI series against Australia last month but after missing one match, he continued playing. An MRI Scan on the return to UK established a diagnosis of hernia, but the injury was such that it could be managed till the end of cricket’s premier tournament. Pietersen is expected to be out of action for six weeks which means, apart from the World Cup, he will not be a part of his new team Deccan Chargers for the fourth edition of the IPL.

England have applied to the ICC’s Technical Committee for Eoin Morgan to be his replacement. Kevin Pietersen, who showed signs of hitting form with 131 runs in his four innings as opener, might give Ravi Bopara his second lease of life as an opener after being dropped down the order after repeated failures. The arrival of Morgan might bring some sense of security in the middle order, one of the main reasons for their collapses in this roller coaster of a tournament but they will definitely miss the charisma that Pietersen brings to the lineup.

Tags: Cricket, ECB, England, England Cricket Board, Eoin Morgan, ICC, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, IPL, Kevin Pietersen, World Cup