• Achilles surgery sidelines batsman for rest of Test series
• Experts warn early return would put career in doubt

Kevin Pietersen has been warned that he will put his career at risk if he rushes back from the achilles surgery that has ruled him out of the rest of the Ashes series.

In a major blow to England’s hopes of winning the series against Australia, which they lead 1–0, Pietersen has been ruled out for at least six weeks after an operation. England officials are privately worried that the team’s key batsman will miss this season’s lucrative schedule of one-day internationals as well as the three remaining Ashes Tests.

A hectic programme of one-day matches gets under way just three days after the final Test, at The Oval, ends on 24 August, and experts warned Pietersen against coming back too soon.

Jason Nandlal, a consultant in podiatric surgery in London, said: “The thing about achilles is you really can’t rush them because if you do you are likely to cause a rupture, which can end someone’s playing career. If you do rupture your achilles tendon it is never quite the same.”

Neil Foster, the former Essex and England bowler whose career was plagued by injury and who is now a chartered physiotherapist, concurred: “That Kevin has had surgery would suggest it is badly inflamed or there is the risk of real damage there. In all probability he won’t be back for 10 weeks. There’s no point in rushing achilles injuries because if you do there is the danger of more serious damage.”

Pietersen’s place in the England team is expected to go to Ian Bell, with the third Test due to start at Edgbaston next Thursday. The Warwickshire batsman’s form has been encouraging but he was dismissed for seven in a County Championship game against Hampshire.

Pietersen himself said: “As an England cricketer the Ashes are the pinnacle of the game so I’m absolutely devastated to be missing the rest of this series. Up until now the achilles injury has been manageable but it recently reached the point where we needed to look at other options in terms of treatment.

“I hate missing matches for England and especially during an Ashes summer, but now that the decision has been made to undergo surgery I’m confident I can return to the England team injury-free following a course of rehabilitation.”

Although Pietersen played in the 115-run victory over Australia at Lord’s, he spent lengthy spells off the field and was clearly in pain when running. Pietersen’s innings of 32 and 44 were below par for a batsman whose Test average is 50.72. “To leave a winning dressing room at this time is heartbreaking, but it wouldn’t be fair to the team or myself to continue given the severity of the injury,” he said.

According to Australia, the Ashes series has been diminished by Pietersen’s withdrawal. The team manager, Steve Bernard, said: “I feel very sorry for Kevin and the Ashes. When you beat a side you want that side to have their best guys. You don’t want anyone making any excuses. We’re disappointed.”

So too was Pietersen’s England team-mate Andrew Flintoff, who has his own injury worries. “It’s disappointing. Kevin is a massively influential player for our team,” the all-rounder said. “He is our best player so it is going to make it that little bit tougher for us. But Kevin probably hasn’t been himself with the injury for the last couple of weeks. I know for a fact he has been feeling it. He has been in pain and the best thing he can do is get fit for England as soon as he can, because he is going to be greatly missed and we wish him well.”

Pietersen is a serious doubt for the rest of the international season. After an ODI against Ireland in Belfast on 27 August, England face Australia in Twenty20 matches on 30 August and 1 September. Then they play Australia in seven ODIs between 4-20 September, just five days before they open their Champions Trophy campaign in South Africa.