Joe Root, the captain of the England Test cricket team, expressed optimism about Kevin Pietersen’s return to the national setup, highlighting the positive impact Pietersen had on his development as a player, particularly in facing spin bowling during his formative years in international cricket.
Pietersen has recently been appointed as a specialist mentor for England’s white-ball teams as they prepare for the ODI World Cup in South Africa next year. Root is one of the few current players who has previously played alongside Pietersen.
The two cricketers were teammates during the initial phase of Root’s international career, notably during England’s 2012 tour of India, where Root made his Test debut in Nagpur. Reflecting on that experience, Root mentioned how he closely observed Pietersen’s techniques and sought his guidance on handling spin bowling.
Root remarked, “I was probably the last player still active who played with him. I really appreciated having him as a senior figure in the team. On that first tour of India, I made it a point to practice alongside him in the nets, observing his methods and asking for advice. He was always open and honest, providing valuable insights on how to enhance my game against spin. If he can bring that level of coaching into his new role, it will undoubtedly be advantageous for our team. I’m genuinely excited about collaborating with him,” he told the media on Tuesday.
Kevin Pietersen enjoyed a distinguished international career, representing England in 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20Is over nine years. Although his international career concluded controversially in 2014, he has remained active in cricket through various roles in broadcasting and coaching.
Pietersen’s return comes in the wake of his critical remarks regarding England’s preparations. However, Root believes that Pietersen’s candidness is a significant asset to the team. “We value honest opinions. If we didn’t want him to share his insights, we wouldn’t have brought him on board. He possesses extensive knowledge, particularly about batting, and brings a lot of energy. I’m eager to see how he contributes to the team,” Root stated.
As England prepares for their final Test against Pakistan, they are facing considerable upheaval in the opposing camp due to recent changes in Pakistan’s squad and coaching staff. Root emphasized that England must focus on their own performance rather than getting distracted by Pakistan’s situation.
“Our priority is to concentrate on ourselves. We want to ensure that the new players in the squad are well-prepared to face how Pakistan plays, both with bat and ball, while also managing our own strategy,” Root explained. “We’ve had our share of challenges recently, so it’s essential to maintain our preparation, stay fresh, and carry our confidence into the next five days.”
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