England appoint Kevin Pietersen as white-ball mentor through 2027 World Cup

England appointed Kevin Pietersen as a specialist mentor to its men’s white-ball teams on September 7, 2026, bringing the former captain back into the senior national set-up for the first time since 2014.

The consultancy role will run through the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Pietersen will join Brendon McCullum’s coaching staff for the home matches against Sri Lanka in September 2026, according to The Guardian’s report of the announcement.

The appointment gives England’s batters access to a former international whose playing career included an Ashes victory and a T20 World Cup title. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the role as part of preparations for the tournament in southern Africa.

Pietersen’s return follows a long separation from the England team: his central contract ended after the 2013–14 Ashes defeat in Australia. He retired from playing in 2018 and has since worked in broadcasting and online media.