Kevin Pietersen returns to England set-up as specialist mentor

Kevin Pietersen has made a remarkable return to the England and Wales Cricket Board set-up over a decade after his acrimonious exit in 2014. Speaking to the media at Headingley, the former international star admitted that his past perceptions of the team completely changed after taking on the role.

Appointed as a specialist mentor for the white-ball sides through to next autumn's 50-over World Cup, Pietersen stressed that his primary goal is to help Brendon McCullum and guide the players. He noted that the squad is intensely driven and completely different from what he previously imagined from the outside.

Reflecting on his turbulent past, the 46-year-old acknowledged that those difficult years are far behind him. Having worn every T-shirt an England cricketer can wear, he hopes to pass on valuable experience and help younger talents avoid the ugly pitfalls of international sports.

Pietersen has already wasted no time making an impact, leading batting drills with players like Joe Root and Rehan Ahmed on rotating the strike against spin. Several rising stars, including Tom Banton, have expressed awe at working alongside the four-time Ashes-winner.

Addressing comparisons made by Ben Stokes between his style and Harry Brook's, Pietersen offered to help the explosive young batter navigate match situations. He pointed out that despite his own reputation for reckless shots, his batting carried a strict structure which he still stores in notes on his phone.

Looking beyond limited-overs cricket, Pietersen has already initiated conversations with new Test coach Stephen Fleming about assisting the red-ball batters. Though he ruled out a full-time position due to a busy schedule, he remains open to working with the Test squad ahead of next summer's home Ashes series.