Blow for English Ashes hopes as Pietersen out

ENGLAND’S quest to regain the Ashes will have to be completed without Kevin Pietersen after he was forced into undergoing surgery on his chronic achilles injury.

Pietersen, 29, had the operation yesterday after being examined by a specialist and has been ruled out of action until September.

Although he featured in both the drawn opening match in Cardiff and the 115-run England win at Lord’s, soreness in the tendon and related pain in the lower back hampered his performances.