Kevin Pietersen is trending because he has joined England’s white-ball coaching staff for the series against Sri Lanka, while England coach Brendon McCullum has welcomed the prospect of being challenged by him. Pietersen’s return to the England set-up as a mentor puts him in a position to contribute to a team he has previously criticised. Interim head coach Marcus Trescothick says the former England batter is excited to be back, with his arrival expected to add spark.
The attention also centres on how McCullum views that outspoken criticism. Pietersen accused England players of not trying during last year’s tour of India, but McCullum says he has no problem with those earlier comments and wants Pietersen to challenge his methods. The coverage therefore brings together two themes: Pietersen’s new coaching involvement and McCullum’s willingness to hear a critical perspective from within the staff.
