Pietersen flies home

Kevin Pietersen is returning home after sustaining a broken rib in the first Commonwealth Bank Series ODI.

During his innings of 82, he was struck by a McGrath bouncer whilst coming down the pitch. Pietersen was visibly in pain, and suffered bruising around the area. He was taken for scans after the completion of the England innings.

The scans confirmed he had broken a rib, and he has since began the journey to England, to recover for March’s World Cup. Before leaving though, he did speak briefly to reporters. “When it hit me I couldn’t breathe for a couple of minutes and I knew it was a little bit more serious than the previous times. It restricted my breathing and strokeplay.”

England’s medical staff have suggested he will be out for 5-6 weeks, but Pietersen is optimistic of recovering sooner and is certain he will play in the World Cup: “I’ll go home and get my fitness back as fast as I can and come back stronger for the bigger picture, which is the World Cup.”

Pietersen’s loss will be a huge blow for England, he has been their sole outstanding batsman in the ODI form for some time. Should they wish to replace him in the squad, they have a number of potential candidates, such as Alistair Cook, Vikram Solanki, Robert Key or even Mal Loye.