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Pietersen Returns to England's White-Ball Coaching Team
Confirmed
In Short: Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen is back in the national team fold as a Specialist Mentor, set to work with the white-ball squads ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has rejoined the national team as a Specialist Mentor, joining Brendon McCullum's white-ball coaching setup for upcoming matches and tours. Pietersen, who last wore the England uniform in 2014, expressed his excitement to work with the talented squad and help maximize their potential.
Pietersen will start his role for the upcoming Vitality IT20 and Metro Bank ODI series against Sri Lanka, and will also be involved in tours to Australia and South Africa this winter. He will rejoin the team for home series against Pakistan and New Zealand next summer, and will be part of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup preparation in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment,' said Pietersen. '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.
England's white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum praised Pietersen, saying, 'I've got immense respect for KP and what he's achieved in the game. I’m particularly excited for our batters to get the opportunity to work with him.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The coaching team will also include Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor.
- During his 10-year international career, Pietersen played 136 ODIs and 37 T20Is for England, scoring more than 5,500 runs.
- Having grown up in South Africa, Pietersen's knowledge of the conditions and cricket in the region is expected to be particularly valuable to England 's ODI team as it prepares for next year's World Cup.
- 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.
- He was only allowed to return to the team after a successful 'reintegration' period.
- Pietersen was also one of the first to advocate for England players being allowed to play in the Indian Premier League and other white-ball franchise leagues around the world - a stance which often put him at odds with his employers.
- "I am immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa," said the ex-Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Surrey batter.