Kevin Pietersen will work with England’s men as a specialist mentor in white-ball cricket, the ECB announced on 7 September. His first assignment is the forthcoming T20 international and one-day series against Sri Lanka later this month.
The appointment adds mentoring support to Brendon McCullum’s coaching group. It is a staff role covering the limited-overs teams, rather than a return to the playing squad.
The ECB’s plan also includes the winter tours of Australia and South Africa, the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand next summer, and the 2027 men’s World Cup. The tournament will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
McCullum highlighted the opportunity for England’s batters to learn from Pietersen. The ECB also pointed to his knowledge of South African conditions and his experience mentoring Delhi Capitals in 2025.
For supporters, the immediate checkpoint is the Sri Lanka series: that is when the new role starts, while the longer programme is aimed at World Cup preparation.