Pietersen admits to playing with a fractured rib
England captain Kevin Pietersen has revealed that he played the entire first Test against India in Chennai with a fractured rib, suffered before the final ODI in Cuttack nearly three weeks ago.
Cricinfo staff
16-Dec-2008
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Kevin Pietersen has revealed he played the entire first Test against India with a fractured rib, which he sustained before the final ODI in Cuttack nearly three weeks ago.
"I have got a fractured rib," he told the Guardian after England's six-wicket defeat in Chennai on Monday. "There are no dramas. I will deal with it. I don't like injections. I will just take painkillers."
Pietersen, who managed 4 and 1 in the two innings, looked in obvious discomfort on the field on Monday, clutching his right side several times as he threw underarm.
However, the captain was determined to play in the second Test in Mohali, starting Friday, and will look to bolster the team spirit, which was badly jolted by India's successful run-chase.
His admission that he had "sore ribs" after the Cuttack ODI was overshadowed by injuries to other England players - Andrew Flintoff jarred his ankle while Stuart Broad suffered a hamstring strain. Though he scored a century in that match, he needed treatment for what then appeared to be a side strain.
Pietersen had suffered a similar injury nearly two years ago, forcing an early return home from an ODI series in Australia, when he walked down the pitch at the MCG to pull Glenn McGrath and was hit on the ribs after playing it too early.