Sports07 September, 20263 min read
Kevin Pietersen Appointed Specialist Mentor For England’s White-Ball Teams For Next 12 Months
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Pietersen appointed specialist mentor for England's white-ball teams for 12 months. Role tied to preparation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup alongside Brendon McCullum.
7 outlets told this the same way.
Pietersen returns to coaching
Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a “specialist mentor” for England’s white-ball teams, joining Brendon McCullum’s coaching staff for the next 12 months ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. The BBC says Pietersen, 46, will start in the role for the upcoming T20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka, and he will also be involved in this winter’s tours to Australia and South Africa. The Telegraph frames the move as Pietersen “join[ing] England’s white-ball coaching team starting next week,” marking his first involvement with England since he was dropped in 2014.
Pietersen said, “Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment,” as he described the appointment as a chance to help England’s World Cup campaign. The BBC adds that the white-ball coaching appointment comes as England prepare for the 50-over World Cup being held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in the autumn.
McCullum and Pietersen quotes
Brendon McCullum said he has “immense respect for KP and what he’s achieved in the game,” adding that Pietersen’s experience and knowledge make the role “a fantastic result.” McCullum also told the BBC, “I’m particularly excited for our batters to get the opportunity to work with him,” and he said the pair “We’ve always respected each other and had a strong appreciation for what the other brings to the game.” Pietersen, meanwhile, said he was “immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa,” linking the coaching job directly to the tournament in Southern Africa.
The Telegraph reports that Pietersen’s return comes “for the first time since he was dropped in 2014,” and it notes he will be in place for the Sri Lanka series. The BBC adds that Pietersen’s appointment follows his earlier career fallout, including being accused of being “divisive” and being dropped during a Test series against South Africa in 2012 for sending “provocative” text messages to opposing players.
World Cup build-up and staff
The Guardian says Pietersen has been appointed as a “specialist mentor” to England’s white-ball teams during the run-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in late 2027, with the move marking his first work with the senior England side since he was sacked as a player after the 2013/14 Ashes whitewash. The ECB statement quoted by the Guardian says, “Having grown up in South Africa, Pietersen’s knowledge and understanding will particularly help the One Day International team as it prepares for next year’s World Cup,” which is being played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The BBC says Pietersen will join as a specialist mentor for the T20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka and will be involved in this winter’s tours to Australia and South Africa before returning for the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Sky Sports places the coaching start in the build-up to the T20 international and ODI series against Sri Lanka later this month and says Pietersen will be part of the coaching setup at the 2027 Cricket World Cup in October and November. Sky Sports also lists the wider white-ball coaching team as including Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor, while the BBC notes Pietersen was named player of the tournament when England won the T20 World Cup for the first time in 2010.