Ashes 2009 – Injuries & Selection Problems
The unfortunate news released from the England cricket camp today, is that they will be without their mainstay batsmen Kevin Pietersen for the rest of the 2009 Ashes series. He has been ruled out after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon. The injury which hampered him during the second test means he will be out of all cricket for a period of six weeks.
The decision was made for Pietersen to undergo surgery on his right Achilles tendon following a consultation, involving scans and testing, with the world’s leading Achilles specialist. He will have to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to ensure a full recovery. His absence will undoubtedly make it harder for England to win the five-match series they lead 1-0 following their dramatic 115-run victory over Australia at Lord’s on Monday. The favourite to replace him, for next week’s third Test at Edgbaston will be Ian Bell, but an outside bet would be on Rob Key, Kent’s in form batsmen.
“As an England cricketer the Ashes are the pinnacle of the game so I’m absolutely devastated to be missing the rest of this series,” Pietersen said.
In the meantime the Australian cricket team are also having problems, they are making plans to revamp and revive their bowling attack for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston .Brett Lee is still considered doubtful and to date Mitchell Johnson has proved less than effective as a strike bowler. Lee, 32, has missed out on the first two Tests after suffering a side strain earlier in the tour and has not bowled since.
The Aussies have given their players a couple of days prior to playing Northamptonshire in a tour match starting on Friday, and hope to field both men. However the Australian coach Tim Nielsen, said of Lee “We’ve got to be careful we don’t go down the wrong path, we’ve got three Tests left in this series and that’s a lot of cricket.”
“We just need to make sure that we don’t panic and rush him back too quickly with the result being that he’s not quite right and puts himself out for the rest of the series.”
Johnson batted better than he bowled at Lord’s, however it should not be forgotten that he took his 100th Test wicket in his 23rd appearance, exactly the same number in which the never to be forgotten Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne reached the landmark. The 27-year-old is now spending time me with former England bowling coach Troy Cooley, trying to get his bowling back on track for Birmingham.
Other names in the frame being tipped for a return to take on England at Edgbaston are Stuart Clark, the leading wicket-taker in Australia’s 2006-07 Ashes whitewash and Shane Watson due to Philip Hughes lack of form, although he is primarily a one day specialist.
