England are optimistic Kevin Pietersen will be fit to play in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Manchester’s Old Trafford ground starting on Thursday. Pietersen suffered a left calf injury during England’s crushing 347-run win in the second Test at Lord’s, which put the Ashes-holders 2-0 up in the five-match series with three to play.
Since then the 33-year-old Pietersen, arguably England’s most talented batsman, has undergone an intensive programme to regain full fitness. And while no final decision has yet been made on whether he will be in the third Test side, England captain Alastair Cook was upbeat about his chances. ‘(He is) pretty good. He’s come through training the past two days and done everything that’s been asked of him,’ Cook said. ‘Clearly we have to make a decision tomorrow (Thursday) morning just in case he pulls up different to that, but we’ll see and we’re pretty hopeful,’ added Cook.
Since then the 33-year-old Pietersen, arguably England’s most talented batsman, has undergone an intensive programme to regain full fitness. And while no final decision has yet been made on whether he will be in the third Test side, England captain Alastair Cook was upbeat about his chances. ‘(He is) pretty good. He’s come through training the past two days and done everything that’s been asked of him,’ Cook said. ‘Clearly we have to make a decision tomorrow (Thursday) morning just in case he pulls up different to that, but we’ll see and we’re pretty hopeful,’ added Cook.