England rocked by Pietersen scare

Kevin Pietersen has handed England a scare ahead of the third Test against India at The Brit Oval after sitting out Tuesday training due to illness.
The 27-year-old remained at the team hotel when the players left for an afternoon net session so that he could be attended to by the medical team.

It is not yet known how serious the illness is and England have yet to put anyone on stand-by for the Oval Test.

Pietersen has not missed a Test match since making his debut in 2005.

That came against Australia and he averages 52 in 29 appearances since then.

His would be a massive loss for England should he not be fit to play, especially as the team have to beat India to avoid a first home series defeat since 2001.

Some of the decisions of shot selection were not of the highest order

Stewart on England's display in the second Test against India

After a fabulous start to the summer under new coach Peter Moores with a 3-0 series win over West Indies, England fell one wicket short of victory over India in the first Test before slipping 1-0 down in the three-match series with a heavy defeat at Trent Bridge.

And former skipper Alec Stewart lays the blame at the feet of the England batsmen.

"The batsmen have been giving wickets away," he said. "It'll be difficult to pick themselves up. It's been a good summer until now but they have to get a good start.

"Most will know that I am an advocate of positive cricket.

"After dominating against an uninspired West Indies earlier in the summer and then going just one agonising wicket away from winning the Lord's Test against the Indians, England were guilty of giving away their wickets.

"They will need some big performances from a few players to level the series... but I see no reason why they can not do it."

England are likely to name an unchanged side for the match after naming the same 12-man squad that has contested the series so far.