The pace at which Kevin Pietersen's hernia problem deteriorated took England coach Andy Flower by surprise as he, at first, thought that the star batsman would continue in the World Cup by taking painkillers.

Pietersen was yesterday ruled out of the World Cup and flew back to England to undergo the hernia surgery which has also made him unavailable for the Indian Premier League next month.

"The timing is not ideal because we are in the middle of the World Cup. We had very clear medical advice that this hernia problem Kevin's got wouldn't get significantly worse and he was at no risk of damaging himself further.

"He wasn't going to tear anything so we hoped he would get through the tournament OK, take painkillers when needed and bite the bullet," he added.

Cricket News inextlive from Cricket News Desk