ECB Denies Kevin Pietersen Flouted Injury Treatment Order in IPL

Kevin Pietersen's enforced absence from the remainder of the Ashes series has sparked controversy after it emerged that he may have aggravated his Achilles tendon by flouting a prescribed training programme while playing in the Indian Premier League in South Africa in April. According to Evan Speechly, Bangalore's assistant coach and physiotherapist, Pietersen went on a training run in Durban, despite being under orders not to run. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied that Pietersen flouted instructions not to go running, stating that he was given a fitness programme by ECB medical staff and was never told not to go running.

Key Takeaways:

• The ECB denies that Kevin Pietersen aggravated his Achilles injury by flouting a prescribed training programme in the Indian Premier League.
• Pietersen reportedly went on a training run in Durban despite being ordered not to run, according to Evan Speechly, Bangalore's assistant coach and physiotherapist.
• The ECB medical staff provided a fitness programme for Pietersen, and he was never told not to go running.
• Pietersen underwent a medical examination before flying out to South Africa and was deemed fit by the ECB medical staff.
• The ECB has denied that Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, the other centrally contracted player, were ordered to refrain from playing in the IPL.
• Flintoff missed several international matches due to an injury sustained while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
• The ECB is sensitive about its players participating in the IPL ahead of a busy international summer.
• Pietersen and Flintoff's participation in the IPL has raised questions about the value of lucrative central contracts.
• Sean Morris, of the Professional Cricketers' Association, suggests that big-name cricketers could quit their fat contracts and turn freelance instead.

Statistics:

• 3 remaining Tests of the Ashes series (Pietersen ruled out)
• 1-0 lead for England in the series
• 6 months remaining in the international summer
• £50,000 per week (average salary for a central contract)
• 10 weeks (approximate duration of the IPL season)

Sources:

• "Kevin Pietersen in doubt for Test matches after surgery" by ESPN Cricinfo
• "Flintoff hopes to play for England 'quite soon'" by ESPN Cricinfo
• "Pietersen and Flintoff put their IPL participation into perspective" by ESPN Cricinfo
• "Former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman to step down from National Premier Club League" by ECB