Will England miss Kevin Pietersen?

The batsman has been ruled out of the final Test against New Zealand, and is a concern for the Ashes

Kevin Pietersen will miss the final Test against New Zealand with a knee injury that may rule him out of the home series against the same opponents and makes him a concern for the Champions Trophy and the Ashes. The batsman will also not be able to compete in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils.

Pietersen has been omnipresent in the England Test side since his debut match in the 2005 Ashes series. In between his first Test match and the second Test in Wellington, where Pietersen scored 73, England have played 98 Test matches. Pietersen has missed only four matches in this period.

How England have coped in the matches Pietersen has missed...

3rd Test 2009 Ashes series - Edgbaston

England had just beaten Australia in the second Test at Lords when Pietersen was diagnosed with an injury to his Achilles. The match at Edgbaston was a weather affected draw, with Ian Bell, who was recalled to the side for the missing Pietersen, hitting 53 in England’s only innings.

4th Test 2009 Ashes - Headingly

England lost by an Innings and 80 runs, England bowled out for 102 after choosing to bat first. Australia totalled 445 and then bowled England out again for 263. In both innings England’s middle order failed.

5h Test 2009 Ashes – The Oval

England dropped Ravi Bopara after failures throughout the series, replacing him with debutant Jonathan Trott for the last Test who scored 41 and 119. England scored 332 and 373 in their two innings, and after bowling out Australia for 160, they won the series.

3rd Test v South Africa, 2012 – Lords

Pietersen was dropped for the last Test of the series after allegations of sending derogatory test messages about Andrew Strauss to the South Africans. Trailing in the series 1-0, England called up Jonny Bairstow to the squad who contributed 95 and 54 in the match.

Stats...

With Pietersen

Played 94

Won 39

Lost 26

Drawn 29

Without Pietersen

Played 4

Won 1

Lost 2

Drawn 1

Pietersen career stats

Matches 94

Runs 7499

Average 49.01