England's white‑ball head coach Brendon McCullin has openly invited former England star Kevin Pietersen to push him out of his comfort zone. The New Zealander, who took charge of the limited‑overs side earlier this year, said he welcomes Pietersen’s past criticisms and looks forward to the former batsman’s input as part of the coaching staff. Pietersen, now 46, will be attached to England’s white‑ball programme through the 2027 World Cup, beginning with the three‑match T20 series and the home ODIs against Sri Lanka later this month.
Over a 15‑year international career spanning 2004‑2014, Pietersen amassed nearly 14,000 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is and earned a reputation for both flamboyant stroke‑play and outspoken opinions. He famously lambasted England’s preparation after a disappointing white‑ball tour of India in 2025, when the side lost both the ODI and T20I series.
Speaking ahead of the opening T20 at Southampton, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 6 pm (first ball at 6.30 pm), McCullin explained why he invited Pietersen into the fold. "When I called him and asked if he’d be interested in joining England, I think he thought I was joking at first," the coach recalled with a grin. "He mentioned he’d been pretty critical of us before and I said, ‘I have no problem with that, mate.’ There are points I might agree with and points I might not, and that’s fine." McCullin stressed that Pietersen’s perspective on the game differs from most coaches and that this fresh outlook could be valuable.
"If someone can see something different and point it out to help you improve, that’s a good thing. Kev will do that and I’ve encouraged him to do it," McCullin said.
He added that he does not want Pietersen to be pigeon‑holed into a single specialist role. "I want him to look at the whole set‑up and challenge me privately on ways we can improve and do things differently," the coach explained. The New Zealander praised Pietersen’s playing pedigree, noting that many of England’s current players grew up idolising him.
"He has an incredible pedigree as a player – a lot of our guys watched him when he was at his peak," McCullin said. "For him to set aside his own commitments and focus on helping us reach the level we want for the World Cups, we’re incredibly lucky." McCullin went on to describe Pietersen’s attributes in glowing terms. "He was an unbelievable player and a winner. He left no stone unturned in his preparation, believed in himself in big moments and often delivered when it mattered.
He’s a big personality and fiercely competitive – qualities we’d love to rub off onto our players," the coach said. He noted that Pietersen has already injected a surge of energy into the camp.
"His work ethic is second to none and when he’s on a project, he’s all in," McCullin added. "I’m super excited to have him, he’s excited and the boys are buzzing." When asked whether other members of the coaching team had questioned his decision, McCullin dismissed the notion.
"The perception may be that I’m not being challenged, but the reality is we’re constantly pushing each other," he said. "I simply wanted someone of Kev’s stature as we aim to become one of the best T20 and ODI sides in the world." The conversation then turned to whether Pietersen might eventually move into the Test set‑up. McCullin declined to comment, pointing reporters to the incoming red‑ball coach Stephen Fleming.
Fleming, who succeeded McCullin as England’s Test boss in August, missed the 3‑0 sweep of Pakistan, which was overseen by interim coach Marcus Trescothick. Fleming’s first official assignment will be a three‑Test series in South Africa over the Christmas period, though he is currently in England for a brief visit that includes meetings with captain Joe Root and county officials. Pietersen will join McCullin for the third and final T20 against Sri Lanka at the Emirates Old Trafford, where the pair will discuss how to manage England’s multi‑format stars moving forward.
The 2027 50‑over World Cup is slated for a few months after England hopes to clinch an Ashes series – a feat they haven’t achieved in over a decade. Key players such as Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell are expected to feature prominently in both tournaments. McCullin acknowledged the packed schedule ahead.
"We have a big calendar with an Ashes and a World Cup to aim for, plus a number of important series in between. We want to make sure we have access to the best players across formats and manage workloads carefully. There’s a lot to sort out but we’ll get there," he said.
He also praised Fleming’s appointment, describing it as perfectly timed. "He will bring his own style and approach, and the team will respond well.
He’s a brilliant man, coach and tactician. I look forward to working collaboratively with him across the formats to get the best out of all three forms of the game," McCullin added. Finally, McCullin confirmed that discussions are underway regarding where former England opener Marcus Trescothick fits into the coaching hierarchy moving forward. England’s white‑ball fixtures against Sri Lanka will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket, beginning with the first T20 at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday.
All times are listed in UK and Ireland local time.