JOIN US Ever since England and Wales Cricket Board’s new director Andrew Strauss announced that Kevin Pietersen would not be a part of their plans for the immediate summer, the focus has been on his impending arrival to India after the maverick batsmen said he would be joining his Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise on Friday.
However, SRH coach Tom Moody said the 34-year-old batsmen would not be joining the team as he has hurt his Achilles once again. “He was arriving and was supposed to reach tomorrow evening. But, unfortunately he pulled up a little sore after his triple hundred.
“He had a precautionary scan and as it turned out, he has inflamed an Achilles tendon that he had injured years ago. It’s unfortunate for both parties that he won’t be featuring in this IPL.”
Pressure on Cook
England skipper Alastair Cook and his former teammate Andrew Strauss will face intense pressure during the upcoming Ashes battle with Australia over the decision to ignore the claims of Pietersen for a Test recall, former India captain Rahul Dravid said.
“It was strange and disappointing to see Pietersen being told he will not be given an opportunity to play for England. This decision will bring more pressure on Cook and (new England director of cricket) Strauss during the (July-August) Ashes,” said Dravid here.
“If England win the Ashes, then it will be fine, but if they lose this (episode) is not going to die down,” he added.