Pietersen blames form on injury

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has admitted that his Achilles injury is negatively affecting his game.

The 29-year-old has been some way short of his best form in the first two Ashes Tests against Australia.

He told the News of the World: "This is the first injury I have had and, mentally, they really do get to you.

"It does not really affect my stroke play but running between wickets and diving around is problematic. It is incredibly frustrating."

Pietersen scored 32 and 44 in England's two innings at Lord's in the second Ashes Test and came in for criticism for his shot selection during the drawn first Test in Cardiff.

"To be honest, the injury plays on my mind all day and every day," Pietersen added.

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" I'd consider resting Pietersen as his ankle was really troubling him and he's not really fired yet "

"People who have had injuries know that it definitely does affect the way they play.

"I've had two injections into my back - a perineural and an epidural. And I've had a cortisone and a homeopathic injection into my Achilles.

"We're not talking about anything in the future, we're just managing it right now. We are treating it on a day-to-day basis just to get me out on to the pitch."

Pietersen is now hoping the 10-day break between the Test at Lord's and the third Test at Edgbaston will give him the opportunity to rest.

"I'm not ruling anything out in terms of the rest of the series. What I will say is I am doing everything I can to get myself right," he said. "I'll do anything I can do to play."

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