Pietersen doubtful starter for third Ashes Test

London:

Kevin Pietersen's participation in the third Ashes Test is under serious doubt as the star England batsman is schedule to meet his doctor for yet another injection into his problematic Achilles tendon.

Pietersen has been suffering from a lingering achilles heel for quite sometime and he himself admitted to have taken four cortisone injection before taking to the field in the second Test.

Pietersen has admitted his performance was affected due to the injury as it has limited his batting and fielding. "It plays on my mind all day and every day. People who have had injuries know that it definitely does affect the way they play. It doesn't really affect my stroke play but running between wickets and diving around is problematic," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

Pietersen has already had a homeopathic injection and a cortisone injection in the tendon. The next one will be a saline solution with a small percentage of cortisone, which is intended to cushion the movement of the tendon within its sheath.

The procedure is very unpredictable. It can provide a miracle cure, or prove completely ineffective. But the most likely result is that it will give temporary relief, ideally for three or four weeks, which could allow him to avoid surgery in the short term.