Cricket-England's Pietersen ruled out of third test against NZ

LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the decisive third test against New Zealand starting on Friday because of a knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Wednesday.

Pietersen injured his right knee earlier this month while taking part in fielding practice and scans have revealed bone bruising and possible cartilage damage.

"The injury is likely to require ongoing assessments and a likely 6-8 week period of rest and rehabilitation," the ECB said in a statement.

"Pietersen has therefore been withdrawn from all cricket including the Indian Premier League."

The first two tests in New Zealand, both of which Pietersen played in, ended in draws. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

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England's Pietersen ruled out of third test against NZ

LONDON (Reuters) - England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the decisive third test against New Zealand starting on Friday because of a knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Wednesday.

Pietersen injured his right knee earlier this month while taking part in fielding practice and scans have revealed bone bruising and possible cartilage damage.

"The injury is likely to require ongoing assessments and a likely 6-8 week period of rest and rehabilitation," the ECB said in a statement.

"Pietersen has therefore been withdrawn from all cricket including the Indian Premier League."

The first two tests in New Zealand, both of which Pietersen played in, ended in draws.

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Cricket-NZ squad to play England in third and final test

March 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand named the following squad on Tuesday to play England in the third and final test starting in Auckland on Friday. The series is tied 0-0.

New Zealand squad:

Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (Compiled by Ian Ransom; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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Cricket-NZ name paceman Bracewell for third test v England

March 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand have provisionally named paceman Doug Bracewell in a 14-man squad for the third and final test against England starting in Auckland on Friday, pending his recovery from a domestic one-day match.

The 22-year-old missed the first two drawn tests after cutting his foot on glass when cleaning up at a party at his home in the leadup to the series, for which he apologised to his team mates for letting them down.

Bracewell's recovery would be tested in the Central Stags' clash with the Canterbury Wizards in Christchurch on Wednesday before a call would be made on his availability for the final test at Eden Park, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.

Two other test squad members who were yet to feature in the series - fast bowler Ian Butler and uncapped opening batsman Tom Latham - would also play in the domestic competition on Wednesday before joining the squad in Auckland, NZC added.

"Doug's availability creates a real battle for spots for this deciding test against England," Blackcaps head coach Mike Hesson said.

"It also helps to manage the workload for a group of bowlers who have carried a heavy load during the first two tests."

New Zealand squad:

Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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