Story perspectives

Kevin Pietersen named white-ball mentor through 2027 World Cup

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 11:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Pietersen Appointed Mentor

England’s cricket board appointed Kevin Pietersen as specialist mentor for the white-ball side.
He will serve in the role through the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Pietersen said he is a completely different person from his playing days.
The part-time position means he will be in and out of the dressing room.
He will work under white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum, who recruited him.

Summary

Pietersen Labels Dismissal Ugly

Kevin Pietersen says his 2014 England and Wales Cricket Board dismissal was ugly and acrimonious.
He lives in South Africa and returns to England for a mentor role.
He recalled his infamous “it’s tough being me” press conference at Headingley.
He joked about explaining cricket to Taylor Swift on The Graham Norton Show and said any animosity is long gone.

History

Historical Context

After the ECB ended Kevin Pietersen’s central contract in 2014 following a dispute, the former batsman returned to England’s staff in 2024 as a specialist white-ball mentor. His earlier comeback in 2012 saw him add 338 runs in four Tests in India, showing the board’s pattern of re-engaging former stars to strengthen the side ahead of future World Cups.

1 of 3

Pietersen Appointed Mentor

England’s cricket board appointed Kevin Pietersen as specialist mentor for the white-ball side.
He will serve in the role through the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Pietersen said he is a completely different person from his playing days.
The part-time position means he will be in and out of the dressing room.
He will work under white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum, who recruited him.

1 / 3