England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen is fighting to get on top of an ongoing knee problem which threatens to derail his Ashes hopes.
The tourists have a mini injury crisis on their hands just 11 days out from the first Test, with wicketkeeper Matt Prior also in doubt for Brisbane with a calf strain.
Pietersen must separate from the rest of the team and head to Melbourne for a cortisone injection on Sunday in a bid to settle his knee down.
Coach Andy Flower is still hopeful Pietersen can face an Invitational XI in a tour match starting Wednesday in Sydney, and is confident he’s in little doubt for the Gabba unless the injection doesn’t take.
Prior will receive a scan after pulling up sore in Hobart, where the team’s preparations were set back significantly by near-constant rain.
He’s unlikely to play in Sydney but England are hopeful Prior will be able to take the gloves in Brisbane.
Pietersen hasn’t made a substantial score in two months after he fell for just 8 in the tour match against Australia A in Hobart, and sat out the tour opener against Western Australia Chairman’s XI.
With time running out, England’s ace is injured and starved of time in the middle.
“Kevin has had a slight reoccurrence of that knee issue, and he’ll be going to Melbourne for a scan and a cortisone injection tomorrow morning – so he won’t be travelling with the rest of the team,” Flower said.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue. He’s had a couple of these injections before, and they’ve been successful.
“They’ve quietened the problem down, and it’s obviously an ongoing issue for him.
“But they have been successful, and we anticipate this one being successful and anticipate him playing a full part in the Ashes tour.
“We’re doing the jab tomorrow, so he’s got a little bit of time for the jab to work before we train on Tuesday.
“We anticipate him playing in the Sydney game.”
Leading into the last Ashes series, it was Australia who were sweating over the fitness of their captain and key man Michael Clarke.
But this time it’s England who are facing the prospect of going into battle without two of their most experienced and influential players.
Flower said the calming effects of the cortisone injection lasts for months and alarm bells aren’t ringing yet in the England camp.
However, Pietersen admits there’s no guarantee he’ll get through the series.
The 33-year-old has been working overtime in the gym trying to strengthen the area, after he first damaged it on England’s tour of New Zealand earlier this year – forcing him to return home early.
Pietersen put off surgery to contest a fifth Ashes series but he has his concerns.
“I’m working on my legs hoping my legs hold up because I’ve had the knee issue so I’ve just got to make sure the rehab continues,” Pietersen told the ECB website.
“Because I could break down and I don’t want to break down.
“I want to play the whole series.”