Sport · India Bureau
Pietersen named England white-ball mentor ahead of 2025 World Cup
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a specialist mentor for the national team's white-ball cricket programme, rejoining the setup for the first time since his international retirement in 2014.
LSN India ·
Pietersen's appointment comes as England prepares for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa. The 44-year-old will integrate with head coach Brendon McCullum's white-ball coaching unit, which includes Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor.
The former right-handed batter will first link up with the squad for the upcoming T20 International and One Day International series against Sri Lanka later this month. He will remain involved through the winter white-ball tours of Australia and South Africa, before rejoining for home fixtures against Pakistan and New Zealand next summer and the World Cup campaign.
In a statement, Pietersen expressed his enthusiasm about the role. "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."
Pietersen highlighted confidence in the squad's potential, noting England possesses an "incredibly talented white-ball squad." His appointment underscores the England and Wales Cricket Board's strategy of leveraging experienced former players to guide the team towards World Cup success.