Pietersen Ill - Misses Practice For 3rd Test!!

[Ernest]

Pietersen was to ill to take part in a practice session today click here

Originally Posted by BBC

The 27-year-old was confined to his hotel room with a high temperature when the squad had an afternoon net session so he could be attended to by medics.

He was put on atibiotics so he must have an infection of some kind.

Originally Posted by BBC

An England spokesman said the Hampshire player was on antibiotics and would be re-assessed on Wednesday morning. At that stage a decision will be taken on whether to call up a reserve.

It's to be hoped that the antibiotics work, who could possibly replace Pietersen in the England side?, he is one of a kind.

[feverpitch]

Shah is the nearest to a like-for-like replacement, and I presume he would get a call-up...though, for a one-off match at the Oval, it'd be tempting to pick Ramps.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Ernest

It's to be hoped that the antibiotics work, who could possibly replace Pietersen in the England side?, he is one of a kind.

No big deal. If Panesar was out, England would have a problem finding a replacement... but the selectors have stacks of batting options: Shah might get the nod ahead of Joyce and Bopara but any of half a dozen players would do nicely.... including Ramps - averaging 88.92 in the 1st division!

If England were (as they might well have been) 1-0 up rather than 1-0 down I'd be inclined to look at the pitch and then play Rashid.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Rachael

If England were (as they might well have been) 1-0 up rather than 1-0 down I'd be inclined to look at the pitch and then play Rashid.

Surely you are joking?? Rashid is currently no where near ready to play test cricket. If we played him he would get murdered, we would lose the match and quite probably his career would never recover.

Oh, and regarding Ramps, i dont care if he averages 188 in div 1 - he's no test cricketer and picking him for what would surely only be one match would be a massive backward step and would tell Shah and Bopara that they arent rated by the mangement and coaching staff.

[Barmy Harmy]

I don't think its too serious whatever KP has come down with. He'll be fit for the 3rd test.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Shah might get the nod ahead of Joyce and Bopara but any of half a dozen players would do nicely.... including Ramps - averaging 88.92 in the 1st division!

I doubt that Joyce or Bopara are quite ready for a pressure situation that England find themselves in - it won't happen but the obvious replacment would be Ramp's, or even key - they have the experience that Bopara and Joyce lack.

Originally Posted by Rachael

If England were (as they might well have been) 1-0 up rather than 1-0 down I'd be inclined to look at the pitch and then play Rashid.

Gosh I thought I could be radical - why on Earth would you play a raw Rashid, when you don't even agree with a side playing five bowlers.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I doubt that Joyce or Bopara are quite ready for a pressure situation that England find themselves in

Bopara coped quite nicely with the pressure during the winter. He's shown himself to have a cool head to go with the talent. I would happily see him in there.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Bopara coped quite nicely with the pressure during the winter. He's shown himself to have a cool head to go with the talent. I would happily see him in there.

I agree he is the best of the bunch in waiting, but we need to see more of him than one winter IMO, but lots of other players have shone on their debut series, but never went on to make the grade.

If Pietersen can't play - he boots IMO will be almost impossible to fill at the moment, I think I agree with Barmy Harmy though, he will be right on the day.

[Ernest]

Well the speculation is over - Barmy Harmy was right, Pietersen will play.

Originally Posted by BBC

England's Kevin Pietersen will play in Thursday's final Test against India at The Oval after training on Wednesday.

Link click here