England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the rest of the World Cup, with a team spokesman announcing yesterday he would be returning home to undergo a hernia operation.

“Kevin Pietersen will return to the United Kingdom in the next 24 hours because of a hernia injury,” said the spokesman.

Pietersen, moved up the order to open during the World Cup, made just two off three balls during England’s Group B win over his native South Africa on Sunday, and it is now 27 one-day internationals since his last century.

Team officials said Saturday that Pietersen would undergo an operation, but only after the tournament, although the player did say the injury would “no doubt impact my preparation” during the World Cup.

However, the procedure has been brought forward after the 30-year-old was clearly troubled during Sunday’s six-run win at the Chidambaram Stadium where he looked more of a threat with his part-time off-spin than with the bat.

Pietersen’s injury was diagnosed following England’s 6-1 one-day series loss in Australia which came after the Test side’s Ashes series triumph.

The batsman’s early departure from the World Cup raises questions over his future in the 50-over form of the game, with Pietersen having frequently complained about a crammed international schedule.

Advancing the surgery might enable Pietersen to appear in this year’s Indian Premier League. His original plan for a six-week course of treatment after the World Cup coincided with the lucrative event, which starts next month.

Pietersen is due to earn around $650,000 (£400,000) playing for IPL side the Deccan Chargers this season.

However, England would like their star batsman to be well-rested ahead of a busy home season of international cricket, featuring series against Sri Lanka and India.

The first Test against Sri Lanka starts in Cardiff on May 26.

At the weekend, Pietersen had said he hoped to make it through the World Cup, which finishes on April 2, despite the injury.