Cricket: Pietersen misses NZ series

England, 1/3 with bet365 to win the series, will be without Kevin Pietersen for the two Test matches against New Zealand due to a knee problem.

Pietersen, who was forced to miss the end of the recent Test series between the two sides in New Zealand, had hoped to be fit for the clashes on home soil, which start in a month's time. However, he now faces an extended recovery period, with the ICC Champions Trophy and an Ashes series on the horizon later on in the summer. A brief ECB statement confirmed: "Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand as he continues his recovery from significant bone bruising to his right knee. "Pietersen will have a repeat scan next week to determine when he is able to resume training." Pietersen has scored just over 500 runs in eight Test matches against New Zealand to date, averaging 40.76 and reaching three figures on two occasions.

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