Root backs Pietersen for England coaching return

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JOE ROOT wants Kevin Pietersen to remain as forthright as ever when his former England team-mate joins the white-ball coaching staff.

Root is the last remaining link from the England outfit that was whitewashed in the 2013-14 Ashes, after which Pietersen was exiled and effectively sacked following a spectacular and long-lasting fallout with the hierarchy.

Pietersen, though, is set for a surprise return to England’s ODI and T20 ranks as a batting mentor in the lead-up to next year’s 50-over World Cup in his native South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

He was critical about England’s approach to training during their limited-overs tour of India in 2025, but Root sees the upsides of Pietersen’s reputation for being one of the most outspoken figures in the game.

“I think it’ll be fine,” Test captain Root said. “You want people to give their honest opinion, why would you get him involved if you didn’t want him to tell you what he thinks and to give his insight into the game?

“The world is a very different place to what it was in 2014, and the England team is in a very different place to that as well. The group of players are very fortunate to get the chance to tap into his knowledge and experience.

“He’s got a very good understanding of batting, in particular, and he’s got a huge amount of energy. I think he’ll be great for the group and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Root, whose batting partner when he first walked out to bat for England was Pietersen in India in December 2012, admitted rubbing shoulders when he was a youngster with the now 46-year-old was a gratifying experience.

“I learnt a huge amount from him,” the 35-year-old added. “He was someone I’d be shadowing all the time. That first tour of India, in particular, I would try and buddy up with him in the nets.

“He was really open, really honest, very helpful in terms of how to get the best out of my game against spin.

“If he can offer that kind of stuff in a coaching capacity as he did as a senior player, then I think it’s really going to benefit us as a group.”

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