Kevin Pietersen's coaching role with England looks set to stay white-ball-only for now, but he could still have an impact on the team's Ashes batters, according to men's managing director of cricket Rob Key.
Pietersen began a specialist mentor role with Brendon Mc Cullum's limited-overs side during the T20 and ODI series wins over Sri Lanka in September. That role runs until the end of the next 50-over World Cup in Africa at the end of 2027. With many of England's Test batters, including Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell, also key parts of the white-ball set-up, Key says players will inevitably pick Pietersen's brains about the longest format.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Key said: "At the moment, I think it's just white-ball cricket but there are a lot of players that are multi-format players." He added: "Pietersen has been outstanding. There is no one better breaking down batting, talking technically but more importantly how you score runs." Pietersen, who finished with 13,797 international runs, will miss this month's ODI tri-series in the subcontinent but return for the five T20s and three ODIs in Australia in November.
Key does not expect former Test captain Ben Stokes to return to international cricket after his retirement in June. Asked whether any bridges had been burned, Key said: "Not as far as I am concerned." The 2027 Ashes begins at Trent Bridge on June 18 next year.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing