Buzzin Cricket

KP back after injury

Kevin Pietersen joined up with the England squad in South Africa this week as planned and says he is mentally and physically refreshed and raring to go, following his enforced three month lay off.

On Wednesday Pietersen faced net bowlers as well as spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed and came out unscathed, he also managed to run between the wickets, but was realistic enough to say that he would not be rushing things, “I tried that a while back and got an infection in the wound” he said.

Pietersen has arrived in South Africa in good shape generally although the flight was a problem for his Achilles, but a good night’s sleep appears to have helped as he said on Wednesday “I’ve woken up feeling really good. I enjoyed the break to refresh my batteries, to get myself right and ready to know that I can compete again and want to compete again.”

Pietersen has endured a difficult year, starting out as England captain, a very public row with Peter Moores that saw KP relinquish the captaincy and then the Achilles injury forcing him to miss the last three Ashes Tests. An infection of the wound caused more complications forcing him out of the Champions Trophy tournament.

Regardless of what has happened in the past Pietersen is back in an England track suit and ready to leap into action, given the opportunity. Ironically his absence this Summer means that he is no longer an automatic choice for the selectors and he accepts that he must fight for a place alongside rising stars Joe Denly, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan who have all made a contribution during the last couple of months.

England play South Africa on Friday night (November 13th) in the first of two Twenty20 internationals, before a five-match one-day series is followed by four Tests.