Pietersen joins England’s white-ball coaching team

Kevin Pietersen will put on an England uniform for the first time since 2014 after joining the national team’s white-ball coaching staff as a specialist mentor. He will start with the upcoming T20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka.

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I've got immense respect for KP and what he's achieved in the game.

The 46-year-old will also work on England’s winter tours of Australia and South Africa. He is expected to return for the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand next summer, then take part in preparations for the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in the autumn.

White-ball head coach Brendon McCullum said Pietersen’s experience and stature would benefit the team. Pietersen was named player of the tournament when England won their first T20 World Cup in 2010. He scored almost 4,500 ODI runs at an average of 41.32, second only to Joe Root among England batters, and has the highest T20 average among England players with more than 1,000 runs.

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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.

His playing career also included disputes with former teammates and coaches. He was described as divisive in the dressing room and was dropped during the 2012 Test series against South Africa after sending provocative text messages to opposing players. He later apologized to captain Andrew Strauss and returned after a reintegration period. He also advocated allowing England players to compete in the Indian Premier League and other global franchise competitions, a position that often put him at odds with employers.

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I am immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa.

Pietersen has since worked as a commentator, content creator and mentor with the Indian Premier League’s Delhi Capitals. “I am immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa,” he said. “Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment.” He added that England had an exceptionally talented white-ball squad and that he was eager to work hard with the players to maximize their potential.

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Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment.