Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a specialist mentor for the national white-ball cricket team ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Key facts
- •Kevin Pietersen’s first assignment is a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka starting September 15 in Southampton.
- •The 2027 50-over World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
- •Pietersen was named player of the tournament during England’s 2010 T20 World Cup win.
- •England’s T20 team is currently ranked second in the world, while the 50-over side is ranked seventh.
- •Pietersen previously mentored players for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
England has appointed former Ashes-winning batter Kevin Pietersen to their white-ball coaching team. The 46-year-old will serve as a specialist mentor, beginning his role with the upcoming T20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka. His appointment is part of England's preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
By the numbers
Coaching Role and Schedule
Pietersen’s tenure will include the upcoming winter tours to Australia and South Africa. He is also scheduled to work with the team during next summer's home series against Pakistan and New Zealand. England head coach Brendon McCullum stated that Pietersen’s experience and stature make him a valuable addition to the squad, noting the positive impact he previously had on English cricket.
Background and Playing History
Pietersen, who retired from international cricket in 2014, was a key figure in England's 2010 T20 World Cup victory, where he was named player of the tournament. He holds a career ODI average of 41.32 and maintains the highest T20 average for any England batter with over 1,000 runs. His career was also marked by periods of tension with team management, including a 2012 incident involving provocative text messages that led to his temporary exclusion from the team.
Strategic Objectives
The appointment comes as England looks to improve its 50-over performance, with the team currently ranked seventh in the world following their 2019 World Cup win. Pietersen, who has previously mentored for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, expressed pride in returning to the England setup. He emphasized his goal to work with the current squad to maximize their potential as they build toward the 2027 tournament.
Timeline
- 2010Pietersen was named player of the tournament during England's T20 World Cup victory.
- 2012Pietersen was dropped during a Test series against South Africa following a text message controversy.
- 2014Pietersen last played for the England international team before his recent coaching appointment.
- 15 SeptemberPietersen begins his coaching role with a T20 series against Sri Lanka in Southampton.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport.
