Pietersen: knee injury rules star out for up to eight weeks

ENGLAND star batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the final Test against New Zealand, which starts tomorrow, because of a knee injury that will rule him out of competition for six to eight weeks.

The 32-year-old has also pulled out of next month's Indian Premier League, where he was due to play for the Delhi Daredevils. It remains to be seen, says the BBC, if he can return in time for New Zealand's tour to England, with the first Test set to begin on 16 May at Lord's.

Pietersen first experienced pain in his right knee while fielding in the warm-up match in Queenstown at the beginning of this month. The injury failed to resolve itself and the Surrey player was forced to spend time in the stands during the drawn first Test in Dunedin.

Scans have confirmed the knee is injured, with the joint affected by bone bruising and possible cartilage damage. Pietersen will return to the UK for more tests and treatment, plus a programme of "rest and rehabilitation", the BBC says.

His loss is a blow for England. Pietersen scored a duck and 12 in the first Test against New Zealand, but "bounced back" with 73 in his only innings in the drawn second Test in Wellington. ·