Kevin Pietersen has returned to England cricket as a specialist mentor, despite the bitter circumstances surrounding his 2014 dismissal from the team. He says past animosity has disappeared and that he is focused on helping Brendon McCullum and current players improve, particularly ahead of the 50-over World Cup.

Pietersen, who played 104 Tests, 136 one-day internationals and 37 Twenty20 internationals, will work intermittently with England’s white-ball sides. Drawing on his own successes and mistakes, he hopes to advise players such as Harry Brook on managing pressure, tactical decision-making and avoiding the pitfalls of an occasionally controversial career.