He will serve in the position until the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.<\/p>\n
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Speaking ahead of a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Wednesday morning (AEST) at The Ageas Bowl, McCullum, who was sacked as Test coach in July<\/a>, said the 46-year old had already left the squad \u201cbuzzing\u201d.<\/p>\n Watch every ball of Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI Series live and ad-break free during play with Fox Cricket on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n He was also adamant that Pietersen\u2019s previous history of criticising the team through his role in the media wouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I rang him and asked whether he would be interested in coming and working with England, I think he thought I was joking for a start!\u201d the New Zealander told reporters.<\/p>\n Kevin Pietersen and Brendon McCullum at England training. (Photo by Steve Bardens\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cHe mentioned that he has been quite critical of us in the past and I said, \u2018I have no problem with that, mate\u2019. <\/p>\n \u201cThere are parts I might agree with and parts I might not agree with and that\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way he looks at the game is quite different to a lot of people and if someone can see something different and point that out to help you to become better, then I see that as no bad thing. <\/p>\n \u201cKev will do that and I have encouraged him to do that.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want him to be buried in one specific skill set \u2013 I want him to look across the set-up and challenge me privately on ways we can improve and do things differently.\u201d<\/p>\n McCullum revealed that Pietersen, who sits seventh on England\u2019s all time run-scoring list, has already had an impact on the T20I squad, many of whom grew up watching him play.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of Kev coming in. He\u2019s obviously got an incredible pedigree as a player and a lot of the guys grew up idolising Kev when he was in his pomp,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s brought a ton of energy to the setup within the last 24 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin Pietersen shares a laugh with Brendon McCullum. (Photo by Gareth Copley \u2013 ECB\/ECB via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Pietersen\u2019s role, according to McCullum, will be broader than a standard coaching position, with a focus on improving the \u201cenvironment\u201d of the team.<\/p>\n England have enjoyed recent success in T20I cricket, but have fallen at the semi-final stage of the last two T20 World Cups since winning the tournament in Australia in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve mentioned to him that I don\u2019t want him to be buried in one specific skill set,\u201d McCullum said.<\/p>\n \u201cI want him to look across the environment and challenge me privately around ways we can improve things or can do differently.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know what you don\u2019t know, but if someone can see something slightly different and point out something that can make you a better side, or a better coaching structure, I see that as no bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n