da 888casino： Kevin Pietersen, the England batsman, has been ruled out of the rest of the CB series after fracturing a rib in today’s first one-dayer between England and Australia at Melbourne
da leao： Brydon Coverdale at Melbourne12-Jan-2007
Pietersen will play no further part in the CB series in Australia © Getty Images
If England thought their tour could not get any worse after two monthswithout a victory, they were wrong. Kevin Pietersen, the one batsman whohad challenged the Australia bowlers throughout the Ashes and in the firstone-day match, is flying home with a broken rib, further reducingEngland’s chances of breaking their winless streak.Pietersen was on 73 when he advanced down the wicket to a short ball fromGlenn McGrath and missed his attempted pull. The ball cannoned into hisribs and after a couple of minutes of regaining his breath and attentionfrom the physiotherapist, he batted on to reach 82.But in one last show of determination, a clearly uncomfortable Pietersenfought the pain to face questions about his tour-ending injury. Sittingin an awkward, rigidly upright position and speaking softly, Pietersendescribed his feelings at missing out on the chance to help England fightback in the CB Series. “Distraught. Absolutely distraught,” Pietersensaid. “It’s not how I planned it out. I’m just distraught to be leavingthis trip without any victories.”Although the official word was the fracture would keep him out for five tosix weeks, Pietersen was hopeful of recovering faster and insisted therewas no chance it would keep from playing in the World Cup. “I just have tobide my time,” he said, “but I’m a pretty quick healer and I’ll get myself as fit asI can as quick as I can.”Pietersen added that, although he had been hit several times in the ribs,this parting shot from McGrath hurt the most. “When it hit me I couldn’tbreathe for a couple of minutes and I knew it was a little bit moreserious than the previous times. It restricted my breathing and strokeplay.”But asked the injury might prompt him to rethink his tacticof charging fast bowlers, Pietersen’s reply was blunt and emphatic. “Idon’t think it’ll stop me in the future.” He even spoke toMcGrath on the field at the end of the game to thank him for the challengehe had presented during the Ashes.Although Pietersen’s part in the England show is over for now, he wasconfident the team could push on without him and even had the temerity tosuggest England would be a threat to Australia in the World Cup. “It’s nota one-dimensional team at all and I’m sure the guys who take my spot willdo a great job,” he said. “If we can pick up little key things thatimprove our game 10, 15, 20% … the World Cup is a knockout competition.”
