Pietersen’s tour over

England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s tour of Pakistan is over, he will miss the last 3 games with a rib injury. Pietersen aggravated the injury, which has caused him problems before, in a practice session, and struggled throught the opening matches in increasing pain.

He came off the field during Pakistan’s innings on Monday after wincing every time he played an attacking stroke in his innings, and he struggled in the field too. He was given a cortisone injection, but he will fly home to join team mates Ashley Giles and Michael Vaughan, who are also missing through injury. All 3, however, are confident of joining England’s party for the tour of India, starting in February.

Pietersen was obviously disappointed at having to fly home, but realised playing whilst injured could cost the team: “It’s very disappointing to be leaving the England team at this time as I was looking forward to a strong one-day series. I hate missing matches and despite trying to play the first couple of one-day games the pain was just too great. I certainly wouldn’t want to let my team-mates down due to injury whether it is with the bat or in the field so the only choice available to me is to rest the injury with a view to a full recovery in time for India.”

Pietersen has become an integral part of England’s side over the last year, and his absence will give an opportunity to Ian Bell, with no replacement named for the Hampshire batsman.