Pietersen doubtful starter for 1st Test against West Indies

London, May 9 (UNI) England batting mainstay Kevin Pietersen has joined his captain on the list of injured ahead of their first Test against the West Indies, after tearing a calf muscle.

Pietersen tore his calf muscle during a county match for Hampshire against Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy at the Rose Bowl on Monday.

''It is extremely annoying. The muscle is torn and I'll have to see how it responds to treatment before I know if I'll be able to play in the Test,'' he said.

The free-stroking batsman who posseses the highest average among his collegues in the previous season is desperate to be on the field.

''What I do know is that I'm desperate not to miss it and will do everything I can to get fit,'' Pietersen was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

The injury has come as a blow to the newly appointed coach Peter Moores and his associate Andy Flower after Michael Vaughan has been ruled out of the Test.

With KP joining the rank of injured, they will have to rejig their plans to beat the West Indies.

UNI