England have roped in Kevin Pietersen as a “specialist mentor” into their white-ball coaching setup as a “specialist mentor” as they prepare for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Pietersen’s appointment comes months after he spoke about his desire to move into coaching following the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia. He will now join forces with England white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum. Pietersen’s relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) broke down in 2014, although he continued his playing career before retiring from professional cricket in 2018. Since hanging up his boots, he has largely focused on his work as a broadcaster around the world. His coaching experience remains relatively limited, having previously served as a mentor with Delhi Capitals in the IPL and spent a short period working with England’s batters in South Africa in early 2023.
“I am immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa,” Pietersen said in a media release shared by the ECB. “Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment.
We have an incredibly talented white-ball squad,
“We have an incredibly talented white-ball squad, and I am excited to get in the trenches and work relentlessly hard with these players to maximise their potential. To be a part of Brendon’s think tank over the next 12 months is a fantastic opportunity, and I cannot wait to get started.”
McCullum is excited to work with KP and is keen to see how much the batters can learn from him during his stint.
“I’ve got immense respect for KP and what he’s achieved in the game,” McCullum said in the media release. “He’s had an amazing impact on English cricket, so for someone with his experience, knowledge and stature to want to play a role with this team is a fantastic result. I’m particularly excited for our batters to get the opportunity to work with him. KP has a unique understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest level, which will be hugely valuable to our players. We’ve always respected each other and had a strong appreciation for what the other brings to the game, so I’m really looking forward to working together.”
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Source: revsportz.in
