Injured Pietersen out of Champions Trophy

England batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the Champions Trophy due to complications following surgery on a chronic Achilles tendon injury.

Pietersen had hoped to return in the September 22-October 5 tournament in South Africa, but his recovery was set back last week when he developed an infection in some scar tissue.

As well as missing the Champions Trophy, he won't feature in the one-day series or Twenty20 matches against Australia.

But Andrew Flintoff, who is retiring from Test cricket next week when the Ashes series concludes, was selected Monday in all three limited-overs squads.

With Pietersen ruled out, selectors called up uncapped Kent batsman Joe Denly.

"Joe Denly has impressed the selectors for a while with some excellent performances in one-day cricket," national selector Geoff Miller said. "With Kevin Pietersen unavailable through injury, this is an excellent opportunity for Joe to step up to the next level and show what he is capable of."

Denly will travel with England to Belfast for a one-day international against Ireland on Aug. 27, just three days after the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval is scheduled to finish.

That team will be captained by Paul Collingwood, in the absence of the rested Andrew Strauss. The 15 players chosen to face Australia in two Twenty20 internationals at Old Trafford will also be rested against Ireland.

Strauss will return for the seven ODIs against Australia in September and the Champions Trophy.

"Strauss has led the side extremely well in both forms of cricket this summer," Miller said. "But the selectors felt it would be beneficial for him to have a short break from international cricket following the conclusion of the Ashes Test series, and Paul Collingwood will lead the side in Ireland and in the international Twenty20s."

Squad for one-day series against Australia and Champions Trophy:

Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Squad for Twenty20 series against Australia:

Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright.

Squad for One-Day International against Ireland:

Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Source: NDTV

Injured Pietersen out of Champions Trophy

England batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the Champions Trophy due to complications following surgery on a chronic Achilles tendon injury.

Pietersen had hoped to return in the September 22-October 5 tournament in South Africa, but his recovery was set back last week when he developed an infection in some scar tissue.

As well as missing the Champions Trophy, he won't feature in the one-day series or Twenty20 matches against Australia.

But Andrew Flintoff, who is retiring from Test cricket next week when the Ashes series concludes, was selected Monday in all three limited-overs squads.

With Pietersen ruled out, selectors called up uncapped Kent batsman Joe Denly.

"Joe Denly has impressed the selectors for a while with some excellent performances in one-day cricket," national selector Geoff Miller said. "With Kevin Pietersen unavailable through injury, this is an excellent opportunity for Joe to step up to the next level and show what he is capable of."

Denly will travel with England to Belfast for a one-day international against Ireland on Aug. 27, just three days after the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval is scheduled to finish.

That team will be captained by Paul Collingwood, in the absence of the rested Andrew Strauss. The 15 players chosen to face Australia in two Twenty20 internationals at Old Trafford will also be rested against Ireland.

Strauss will return for the seven ODIs against Australia in September and the Champions Trophy.

"Strauss has led the side extremely well in both forms of cricket this summer," Miller said. "But the selectors felt it would be beneficial for him to have a short break from international cricket following the conclusion of the Ashes Test series, and Paul Collingwood will lead the side in Ireland and in the international Twenty20s."

Squad for one-day series against Australia and Champions Trophy:

Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Squad for Twenty20 series against Australia:

Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright.

Squad for One-Day International against Ireland:

Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Joe Denly, Andrew Flintoff, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebotton, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Source: NDTV

I will not be fit before Champions Trophy: Sehwag

Recuperating from a shoulder injury, flamboyant India opener Virender Sehwag is not sure if he could regain full fitness before the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held next month in South Africa.

Sehwag had injured his shoulder during the semi-final of the second edition of the Indian Premier League in South Africa after which he had to undergo a surgery for the Grade II lesion at a Nottingham hospital in June.

"My shoulder is better than before. It takes time to recover from any surgery. But if it (recovery) takes time, I can't help it. I can just wait and watch," Sehwag told reporters here today when asked about the recovery.

The Delhi batsman has been following a rehabilitation programme since going under knife, which has almost ruled him out for the September 8-14 tri-series in Sri Lanka and has now also cast a shadow over his availability for the Champions Trophy as well.

Sehwag also welcomed International Olympic Council's move to include women boxing in 2012 London Olympics.

"It's a great thing to happen. I am associated with women's empowerment from my university days so I think men and women should get equal representation in every field," Sehwag, who is also the chief patron of Shikhar, an NGO working for social development said on the occasion of the organisation's launch of a new initiative -- 'Support Centre for Women Empowerment'.

He also wished the countrymen on the eve of India's 63rd Independence Day.

Source: NDTV

I will not be fit before Champions Trophy: Sehwag

Recuperating from a shoulder injury, flamboyant India opener Virender Sehwag is not sure if he could regain full fitness before the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held next month in South Africa.

Sehwag had injured his shoulder during the semi-final of the second edition of the Indian Premier League in South Africa after which he had to undergo a surgery for the Grade II lesion at a Nottingham hospital in June.

"My shoulder is better than before. It takes time to recover from any surgery. But if it (recovery) takes time, I can't help it. I can just wait and watch," Sehwag told reporters here today when asked about the recovery.

The Delhi batsman has been following a rehabilitation programme since going under knife, which has almost ruled him out for the September 8-14 tri-series in Sri Lanka and has now also cast a shadow over his availability for the Champions Trophy as well.

Sehwag also welcomed International Olympic Council's move to include women boxing in 2012 London Olympics.

"It's a great thing to happen. I am associated with women's empowerment from my university days so I think men and women should get equal representation in every field," Sehwag, who is also the chief patron of Shikhar, an NGO working for social development said on the occasion of the organisation's launch of a new initiative -- 'Support Centre for Women Empowerment'.

He also wished the countrymen on the eve of India's 63rd Independence Day.

Source: NDTV

Sehwag racing against time for Champs Trophy

After being out of action for over two months following a shoulder injury that needed surgery, dashing opener Virender Sehwag is hoping to return to top-notch cricket through the ICC Champions Trophy next month.
"I am hoping to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. My rehabilitation is going well," said the Delhi marauder on the sidelines of a book release function here on Friday.
Sehwag sustained the shoulder injury during the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League in South Africa in May while captaining Delhi Daredevils against eventual winners Deccan Chargers.
Source: Cricketnext.in

Sehwag racing against time for Champs Trophy

After being out of action for over two months following a shoulder injury that needed surgery, dashing opener Virender Sehwag is hoping to return to top-notch cricket through the ICC Champions Trophy next month.
"I am hoping to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. My rehabilitation is going well," said the Delhi marauder on the sidelines of a book release function here on Friday.
Sehwag sustained the shoulder injury during the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League in South Africa in May while captaining Delhi Daredevils against eventual winners Deccan Chargers.
Source: Cricketnext.in