ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen is refusing to take no for an answer as he races to be fit to board the plane for South Africa.<br /><br />The 29-year-old has been frustrated by setbacks in his recovery from Achilles surgery and has not played since the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in July.<br /><br />But he is hoping to recover in time for the November tour, which will feature two Twenty20 matches, five one-day games and four Tests.<br /><br />“I am trying to get as fit as possible as quick as I can. I have had a few setbacks and I am really frustrated,” said Pietersen.<br /><br />“It will be a couple of weeks before it totally heals over – the next 10 to 14 days – then I can start working really hard.<br /><br />“The time scale is difficult but I will definitely be doing everything I can to get on that first plane to South Africa which is at the end of October.”<br /><br />England arrive on 1 November, with the limited overs series beginning on 13 November and the first Test on 16 December, and Pietersen admits being available for the start will be touch and go.<br /><br />“I might be a few days off that but I will certainly be in the Test squad. The one-dayers I’m really pushing for, but the Twenty20s might be a rush,” Pietersen added.<br /><br />With South Africa heading the current world Test rankings and lying third in the one-day equivalent,England will be desperate to have their most potent batsman available.<br /><br />And the Pietermaritzburg-born star has the added incentive of playing against the country of his birth.<br /><br />He added: “For obvious reasons, it’s a very important tour for me. Also for the team, after the Ashes to take the momentum forwards. We want to have our best team out there.”
Wednesday 30 September 2009 1:00am
Pietersen vows he'll be fit for SA Tests
