Kevin Pietersen says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his attempt to push England’s white-ball side to greatness.
The 46-year-old was appointed as white-ball specialist mentor earlier this month and has already helped contribute to a 3-0 T20 series win over Sri Lanka and a 2-1 ODI series victory over the same opponents.
Pietersen will continue through to the 2027 50-over World Cup in just over a year’s time.
Speaking to Sky Sports recently, he opened up about how white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum sees his role.
“Brendon, when he first called me, I thought I was in trouble because I’d said something, but he said this exact point: ‘I’d like you to come in and challenge me,'” Pietersen said.
“He’s since said to me: ‘I absolutely love the fact that you are inside the rooms and you are picking on things that can make the players better.’
“And at the end of the day, if we can’t do that as a coach, try and challenge players to be the best versions of themselves, I think we’re letting them down because these guys are too good.”
When quizzed specifically on what his coaching methods will look like, he said: “No stone unturned. There are a few things I don’t like. There are many things that I do like, and I think if we can get that balance right, I think that these guys are going to be very, very good.
“That messaging and that constant drive to be the best version of themselves is something that we’re drilling down on.
“It’s been a brilliant period to understand what actually is happening inside that dressing room. There’s a crazy amount of talent up there.”
Pietersen’s playing career with England ended acrimoniously in 2012 but 14 years on you can tell he is relishing the opportunity to impact results albeit from a different position.
He added: “For my career to be cut short in the way all the nonsense was, to be in this position now where I don’t have to go out and bat, I don’t have to worry about the headlines, I can just try and help these guys become better players, to hand over quite a bit of information – that excites me. Like, really excites me. Being back in an England dressing room is amazing. It really is.”
