Pietersen faces D-Day over surgery to end his World Cup

England could be deprived of the services of Kevin Pietersen for the rest of the World Cup with the team's management set to decide today whether the opener should have his hernia operation immediately.

Pietersen revealed at the weekend that he was carrying an injury that would require surgery once the World Cup was over, which would have ruled him out of this year's India Premier League. He played in yesterday's win over South Africa, scoring just two and bowling eight overs, but was reported to be unhappy afterwards with the condition of his injury.

England are faced with the tricky decision of gambling on him being available, possibly for the next four weeks if they go all the way to the final, or sending Pietersen home and calling up a replacement. An announcement is expected today.