Kevin Pietersen has vowed to challenge England head coach Brendon McCullum in his new role as the team’s specialist mentor, saying that is exactly why he was brought in.
Since retiring as a player in 2018, Pietersen has, at times, been an outspoken critic of the England set-up, including when he accused the white-ball team of inadequate preparation in a tour of India last January, after McCullum had just taken charge.
Pietersen’s England stint began with a 3-0 T20 series sweep of Sri Lanka, before the hosts also secured a 2-1 ODI series success over the same side on Sunday. His role with the team will continue until the 2027 50 World Cup in just over a year.
“Brendon, when he first called me, I thought I was in trouble because I had said something, but he made this very point: ‘I’d like you to come in and challenge me,'” Pietersen said. Sky Sports Cricket ahead England’s 223-run win over Sri Lanka at The Oval.
“He said to me since then: ‘I absolutely love the fact that you’re in the rooms and you’re picking things that can make players better.’
“And at the end of the day, if we can’t do that as a coach, try to challenge the players to be the best versions of themselves, I think we’re going to let them down because these guys are so good.”
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Take a look at Kevin Pietersen’s incredible knowledge of England’s batting, including the importance of ‘batting rotation’
Pietersen added of his approach as a coach: “No stone unturned. There are some things I don’t like. There are a lot of things I like, and I think if we can get that balance right, I think these guys will be very, very good.
“That messaging and that constant effort to be the best version of ourselves is something we’re looking into.
“It’s been a great period to understand what’s really going on inside the locker room. There’s a crazy amount of talent up there.”
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England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has spoken about Kevin Pietersen becoming a mentor to the team and discussed whether previous criticism of the team will affect their relationship.
McCullum was similarly high on his hopes for the 50-man squad, particularly with a World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia a year away.
The T20 side have won 22 of their last 25 completed T20 internationals since the start of last summer, claiming the world No. 1 spot as a result, and McCullum wants the same for the ODI side, currently ranked sixth.
“I’ve also found that with a bit of extra time, I’ve been able to explain some aspects of where you want to take this team and how you want to shape it,” said McCullum, who was sacked as England’s Test coach earlier this summer. Sky Sports Cricket.
“At the time, I was very comfortable doing it all (Test and white-ball work). Change happens and my focus now is how to make this team the best white-ball team in the world.
“We are not there yet. We have a lot of growth within us and a lot of improvement to do, but there is a determination within the dressing room to be the best team in the world.
“I want us to become the strongest, fastest and strongest cricket team in the world, one that can play at a high octane pace.
“The performance we saw today (against Sri Lanka) was excellent. You go to a World Cup, you have to do it time and time again over a long period of time. So that will be a focus for us over the next little while.
Pietersen: Brook finds the game ‘too easy’ at times
McCullum and Pietersen also singled out white-ball captain Harry Brook in particular for praise.
Brook, despite being vice-captain, was overlooked for the Test captaincy in favor of Joe Root when Ben Stokes retired, but continues to impress in the white-ball role.
“I think he’s an outstanding tactician, he’s growing as a leader and maturing as a person – and he’s doing it at a rapid pace,” McCullum said.
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Brendon McCullum talks about Harry Brook as England captain, singling him out for praise
“Tactically he’s outstanding; he’s very much a team leader. The lads respect him immensely, and not just for his cricket brain, but for the way he creates the right environment.
“It’s like a group of friends playing together, which is clear to see when you watch them play in the middle.”
With the bat against Sri Lanka, Brook scored two half-centuries in the ODI series to go with a 42-ball hundred – England’s fastest – second fastest – in the opening T20I.
At the time, Brook was hailed as an “absolute freak” by Ben Stokes, who took to social media to say that, in his opinion, the Yorkshireman’s ability surpasses that of Pietersen.
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Harry Brook shares his thoughts on Kevin Pietersen’s impact on England’s white-ball squad
But as well as being capable of the unbelievable, both Brook and Pietersen have had their share of perceived ‘brain drain’ moments.
Addressing the similarity, Pietersen said: “When I look back at my career, the brain fade moments happen because sometimes you see the game differently. And that’s what the fan and the spectator have to understand… Harry Brook is a player who sees the game differently.
“There are times when Harry Brook stands at the gate and says, ‘That’s too easy.’
“The one thing I’m working hard on with Brooky and will continue to work hard on is just getting better at evaluating game situations.
“I will never in my life try to take that gift and genius out of him.”
England vs Sri Lanka white ball series results
