Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Kevin Pietersen Makes England White-Ball Mentor Return After 12 Years
Kevin Pietersen is returning to England's cricket team in a mentoring role.
He will not return as a player.
Instead, he will help England's white-ball players, especially the batters.
His work starts during England's matches against Sri Lanka later this month.
Those matches include three T20 games and three one-day games.
He will also travel with the team on future tours and help prepare for the 2027 World Cup.
The tournament will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pietersen has experience in South Africa because he was born and grew up there.
England's coach Brendon McCullum said Pietersen's knowledge could help the players perform better.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been appointed specialist mentor of the men's white-ball teams.
He will begin during England's three-match T20I and three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka later this month.
Pietersen will work with head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21.
Pietersen previously mentored Delhi Capitals and briefly worked with England's batters during a 2023 ODI series in South Africa.
- Who
- Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook are involved.
- What
- Pietersen has been appointed specialist mentor of England's men's white-ball teams.
- When
- The appointment was announced on Monday, and Pietersen will begin during the Sri Lanka series later this month; his last international appearance was in January 2014.
- Where
- The role is with England's national team, beginning during the series against Sri Lanka; the 2027 World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Why
- England wants to use Pietersen's experience, batting knowledge and understanding of South African conditions ahead of the World Cup.
Supporters of the Appointment
Reservations About the Appointment
Experience and batting expertise
Supporters of the Appointment
McCullum said Pietersen's experience, knowledge, stature and understanding of high-level performance could be particularly valuable to England's batters.
Reservations About the Appointment
Pietersen's appointment follows criticism he made of England's environment under McCullum during the 2025 tour of India; McCullum described that criticism as factually incorrect.
Return to the England setup
Supporters of the Appointment
Pietersen called the opportunity a profound honour, while McCullum welcomed his impact on English cricket and said he was excited to work with him.
Reservations About the Appointment
Pietersen's international career ended controversially after England's 5-0 Ashes loss in 2013-14, making his return to the setup a significant development.
- New role
- Specialist mentor for England's men's white-ball teams
- Initial assignment
- England's series against Sri Lanka later this month
- Sri Lanka series
- Three T20Is and three ODIs
- World Cup
- Co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027
- England record
- 104 Tests, 136 ODIs and 37 T20Is
- Previous mentoring
- Delhi Capitals during the 2025 Indian Premier League and England batters during a 2023 ODI series in South Africa
Sources
Pietersen appointed specialist mentor of England white-ball teams
Kevin Pietersen Appointed England White-Ball Mentor Ahead Of ODI World Cup 2027
Kevin Pietersen appointed England white-ball mentor, returns after 12 years
Kevin Pietersen makes sensational England national team return 12 years since international retirement
