Andy Flower hopes Pietersen to be fit for July’s Ashes series – Cricket News
England’s head coach and team director, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flower-c44362, is satisfied with Kevin Pietersen’s recovery speed from the knee injury and is optimistic about the veteran middle order batsman’s chances of returning to
full fitness ahead of the Ashes series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in July.
"We are thinking optimistically about Kevin's injury improving and it's nice that he's pain free. That is great news for him and for us," said Flower while speaking to media reporters on Wednesday. "Kevin's a
really special player and we want him back as soon as he's fit enough to be back,” added the England coach.
Pietersen, the 32-year-old Natal-born England batting all-rounder, is currently nursing a knee injury which he had picked up during England’s tour to New Zealand in March this year. The injury forced the gangling
middle order batsman to miss the recently concluded Indian Premier League as well as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Champions Trophy, commencing at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on June 6.
However, the right-hander is working hard to return to full fitness in time for the Ashes series. Earlier this week Pietersen posted pictures of himself batting in the nets and Flower was delighted with the progress.
The Zimbabwean hoped KP’s improvement graph will carry on in the same way and will be available for selection come the first Test of the five-match series in Trent Bridge on July 10.
Pietersen’s absence provided http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 duo of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to stake their claims for a permanent place in Test side. Rookie Root has been particularly impressive in the recently concluded two-match
Test series win over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, finishing the series as the leading run scorer with a tally of 243 runs from 4 innings, including a century and a half century as well.
Flower lauded impressive Root saying, "http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Lumb-c1981 has played outstandingly well in all three forms of the game since he's been given the chance to play international cricket and he's handled it really well, which is
testament to his character and his skill."
England will be defending the coveted Ashes urn in the latest episode of the historic Test rivalry.
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