Pietersen To Miss Rest Of Ashes

The news wasn't exactly a surprise, but there was still an element of shock attached to the revelation that Kevin Pietersen will miss the next six weeks, and the remainder of the Ashes series, following surgery on his right Achilles tendon.

Deep down it was news I knew was coming - the shock stemming from the fact I didn't want to believe it and an irrational hope for a Flintoff-esque doctor-defying soldiering on (because, let's face it, a 70% fit KP is still one the Aussies are scared of.) Of course, that was a vain hope. Even Kevin Pietersen is incapable of miraculous recoveries. Off the pitch, that is.

The world's leading Achilles specialist was flown in to tell KP what we all already knew. I've never doubted his commitment to the England cause, and there's no doubt he'll be distraught at the news - this is the stage that he craves the most, and one on which - with an average of 50.72 against Australia - he invariably shines.

So, where does the news leave the player and his country? Well, it puts to bed one of this summer's perpetual worries, and should ensure that England set off for their winter tour of South Africa with their best player fit and revitalised (it would after all have been a tall order without both KP and Flintoff.) So, long-term it's a plus for both. Short-term though, is another matter.

I think this is the worst possible news for England. He's the one player they can ill afford to do without. Even given Freddie's Lord's heroics I could be confident without him - after all England have shown they can live (even thrive) in his absence, and they have a strong battery of reserve bowlers who could take his place. The same is not true with KP.

In many ways it will be a great test for the team, and one they probably needed at some point. Any time but now. Not against the Aussies. Not when we're one nil up with three to play. Much pressure will be heaped upon his replacement Ian Bell, but the pressure notches will rise considerably too on each of the batsmen in the line-up. Each will need to offer an extra 30% in effectiveness to compensate for the absence of the classiest act among them.

On countless occasions Kevin Pietersen has got his side out of trouble. For the next three Tests they must avoid that trouble in the first place. It wont be easy, and I hope I'm placing too much importance on his inclusion, but his loss is a series prediction-altering one.