Kevin Pietersen has joined England’s coaching staff on a white-ball consultancy building up to next year’s World Cup.
Pietersen, 46, will work with the limited-overs teams as a specialist mentor, supporting head coach Brendon McCullum. He will start work next week when Harry Brook’s side begins their twin series matches against Sri Lanka to end the English summer.
Regular coaching personnel Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor remain in their positions.
A T20 World Cup winner in 2010, Pietersen will also be involved in tours to Australia and South Africa this winter and then return for next summer’s series with Pakistan and New Zealand, which will prepare England for the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa next autumn.
Kevin Pietersen is set to return to England in a mentor role
Pietersen said: ‘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, 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.’
The shock move comes a year after Pietersen held a similar role with Delhi in the Indian Premier League. Delhi finished fifth in the table but Pietersen did not return for 2026 citing a busy schedule.
The ECB believe that his upbringing in South Africa gives Pietersen’s unique perspective that will help the team in conditions in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
His recruitment is the latest in a line of ‘specialists’ signed up during Rob Key’s tenure as director of England men’s cricket: Mike Hussey was part of the support staff during the Twenty20 World Cup triumph in Australia in 2022 while Kieron Pollard took up a similar position in the 2024 event in the Caribbean, which resulted in an exit in the semi-finals.
Pietersen played 104 Tests and 173 white-ball games for England between 2004 and 2014
As far back as 11 years ago, England turned to Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene to help them understand the challenges of playing on the pitches of Asia.
‘I’ve got immense respect for KP and what he’s achieved in the game. 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,’ said McCullum.
‘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.’
The appointment of Pietersen, who won 275 international caps across all formats, comes a matter of weeks after another high profile former England player Andrew Flintoff left his role as England Lions coach.
Brook was scheduled to work with Pietersen at last year’s IPL but pulled out of the tournament after prioritising his England commitments.
