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India vs England: Pietersen injury adds to woes for ragged tourists

| 27.10.2011

Kevin Pietersen’s chances of taking part in England’s T20 game against India at the weekend are looking increasingly slim.

The 31-year-old missed the final match of their 5-0 one-day whitewash after breaking his thumb fielding in the fourth game and is still struggling for fitness.

Speaking to the Telegraph, a team spokesman said: “He will have a fitness test tomorrow. He is still very doubtful for Saturday.”

The absence of Pietersen would be a big blow to England as the South African-born batsman had been in steady if not spectacular form prior to his injury.

He hit 19 runs in the opening match of the series before following it up with a solid 46 from 55 balls in the second match.

He then scored a quick 64 from 61 balls before Ravindra Jadeja caught him LBW in the third game, while his last appearance in the fourth game saw him produce 41 runs from 61 balls.

His importance to England was highlighted in the fifth game where, after Alistair Cook and Craig Kieswetter were dismissed for 60 and 63 respectively, England lost all their remaining wickets for just 53 runs without Pietersen.

India’s odds on them completing England’s humiliation with another win have now shortened to 8/13 while England are out at 5/4 to record a victory.

Meanwhile, Pietersen is still joint favourite to be England’s top runscorer at 7/2 despite the continuing doubts about his fitness.

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Author

Richard Anderson