England had one injury setback but avoided another on the eve of the deciding third cricket test against New Zealand which starts Friday at Eden Park.
Batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the match with a knee injury and will be sidelined for six weeks, missing the entire Indian Premier League in which he’d been expecting to take up a record $1.3 million contract.
Jonny Bairstow is likely to replace Pietersen, joining 22-year-old Joe Root in a young middle order.
Fast bowler James Anderson has declared himself fit for the match after recovering from heel and back injuries which hampered him during the drawn second at Wellington.
