'Pietersen will add spark' as he begins England white-ball coaching role

Kevin Pietersen "buzzing" for England role and will add "a little more spark" to white-ball sides, says batting coach Marcus Trescothick; watch the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Southampton, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 6pm, Tuesday (first ball 6.30pm)

Kevin Pietersen is “buzzing” to be back with the England set-up, having joined the white-ball coaching staff for the series against Sri Lanka, according to interim head coach Marcus Trescothick.

Pietersen will serve as a specialist mentor through to the 2027 Cricket World Cup in Africa next year. He will link up with the squad this week ahead of England's first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 6pm, with the first ball at 6.30pm.

Trescothick and Pietersen were Ashes-winning team-mates during England's famous 2005 triumph, giving the former first-hand experience of the qualities and talents the latter can bring to the current team.

"He is buzzing about putting back on the England shirt or tracksuit, buzzing for the opportunity and it's really exciting," the England batting coach said of Pietersen.

"Having his presence around, and the knowledge he has about batting - he saw batting in a different light to many people - if we can tap into that and get that into our white-ball cricket, It's only going to benefit the team."

The appointment has raised a few eyebrows, coming 12 years after Pietersen was effectively sacked by the ECB in the wake of England's disastrous 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia.