Pietersen set for hernia operation after World Cup

: A | A

	Kevin Pietersen's injury will be managed during the rest of the World Cup © Associated Press Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Kevin Pietersen Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: England

Kevin Pietersen will undergo surgery on a hernia following the World Cup and has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League. Pietersen's injury was confirmed after the team returned from Australia last month and will be managed through the rest of the World Cup.

Pietersen will be out of action for around six weeks which means he won't be able to take up his contract with Deccan Charges, but is expected to be fit in time for England's first Test of the home season against Sri Lanka, at Cardiff, on May 26.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed to have picked up this hernia injury but I've been able to manage it so far throughout the World Cup and will continue to do so under the guidance of the England team's medical staff," Pietersen said. "It will no doubt impact my preparation but careful management should see me still play a significant role in the team's campaign.

"Representing England in a World Cup is something I've been looking forward to for the past four years and I'm excited by the prospect of helping the team achieve something special here on the sub-continent against the best teams in the world. I'm bitterly disappointed to be missing the IPL but can take comfort from the fact that I will be fit for the start of a very exciting English summer against Sri Lanka and India."

Pietersen picked up a groin strain during the one-day series in Australia but only missed one match. However, with only three days back at home between that tour and leaving for the World Cup there was little time for players to overcome any injury concerns.

"Following an MRI scan on return to the UK after the Australia ODI series a diagnosis of a hernia was established. The nature of the injury is such that it can be managed for the duration of the World Cup," Dr Nicholas Peirce, the ECB chief medical officer, said. "As the symptoms have been getting worse a decision has now been made that the appropriate course of action is for Kevin to undergo a routine operation upon his return to the UK after England's World Cup campaign.

"Kevin will continue to be managed through the World Cup and we would expect him to make a full recovery following a recuperation and rehabilitation period of approximately six weeks after the operation."

Pietersen has taken on a new role at the World Cup, having being promoted to open the batting alongside Andrew Strauss. He has looked in good form during his three innings with scores of 39, 31 and 59 but England need him to convert those starts. Pietersen spent time off the field during Ireland's run chase on Wednesday but now that his injury is public it will be interesting to see if he is allowed a substitute should he need to leave the field again.

England's next World Cup match is against South Africa, in Chennai, on Sunday.