KP optimistic over injury as Ashes looms
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen yesterday eased fears he could miss the Ashes series, insisting he had made “huge improvements” in his recovery from an Achilles injury.
But with just 12 days until the first Test with Australia in Cardiff Pietersen admitted he is still having difficulty running.
The problem forced Pietersen to miss matches against the West Indies, on their recent tour of England, and at the World Twenty20, which finished last week.
Pietersen sat out the tournament opener against Holland after the injury flared up unexpectedly on the morning of the match.
Yet he has been encouraged by the strides made since then, and said he had taken every possible step to ensure he is ready for the Ashes.
“My Achilles is okay,” he said. “I’m waking up every single morning now absolutely fine and able to do all my exercises and routines and drills pain-free. I am skipping for minutes now but three weeks ago, on the morning of the Netherlands game, I couldn’t get down the stairs at my house. The improvements have been huge and from the mental side of things that is important.”
However, the Hampshire player admitted some exercises were still posing him difficulties.
“I have been as professional as I can be on this programme. I am doing everything I can pain-free,” he added.
“The only thing I haven’t been able to do is road run and that is something we will talk about in the next few days.”