England batting mainstay Kevin Pietersen, in an exclusive chat with espnstar.com, says he is doing all he can to play the Ashes.

By Pamela Dutta

Q: How confident are you that you will be able to play the Ashes series?

KP: I am desperate to play because that is the series of the cricketing world. I will try my best to keep fit. I am taking the best medical advice and I am doing everything I can to face Australia but Achilles' injuries do flare up. If that happens on the morning of the opening Test, then I would not be able to play.

Q: Then there is a chance of not playing also.

KP: I can promise you, I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that I am ok.

Q: Do you have any personal goal for the Ashes series?

KP: We have to win the Ashes series. I am confident England will fight like anything. I will be happy if I can play a role to take England into the victory stand.

Q: Is it true that you were rested against Netherlands because you took them very lightly?

KP: I have heard a lot of people say that we took Netherlands very lightly by resting me, but I do not know where these reports have come from.

Q: Then why did you not play?

KP: Because I could not walk on the morning of the game.

Q: Is it true that you took one Cortisone injection?

KP: Yes, it is true that I had a big injection on my back. An injection in the spine would most likely be in order to deliver the Cortisone into the sciatic nerve at the base of the back and reduce the inflammation in the nerve groupings that form in that area and run down the back of the leg into the heel, including the Achilles' area.

Q: Would you be interested to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the next IPL?

KP: It's a long way to go. The Challengers did really well this time under Anil Kumble. I will inform them that I will be available as a player, not as a captain.