England batsman Kevin Pietersen ruled out of Champions Trophy
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the ICC Champions Trophy due to a knee injury, it has been confirmed.
He was already ruled out of England's forthcoming home series with New Zealand, and a repeat MRI scan showed only "some improvement" to bruising in the bone.
The latest development will raise concerns over whether he will be fit in time for the start of the Ashes series which begins on July 10.
The ECB published a statement, which read: "Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy following a repeat MRI scan on his right knee earlier today.
"The scan has shown some improvement in the bruising to the bone that occurred in the build up to the Test Series against New Zealand in February.
"However Pietersen will not have recovered sufficiently in time for the NatWest one-day series against New Zealand beginning May 31 and the ICC Champions Trophy which follows.
"Pietersen will now start a graduated rehabilitation program with a view to resuming full training by the middle of June."