Kevin Pietersen confirms Ashes discussions with England coach Fleming

Kevin Pietersen is currently a specialist mentor with the England white-ball side. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Kevin Pietersen confirmed that he has held talks with England red-ball coach Stephen Fleming about being involved in next year’s Ashes series, but conceded that his broadcasting schedule made it unlikely that he would be able to take on a full-time role.

Pietersen has joined the white-ball side as a specialist mentor until next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

England is slated to face Australia six times in red-ball cricket next year. The two sides will face off in a in a one-off pink-ball day-night test at the ‌Melbourne Cricket Ground in March to mark the 150th anniversary of ‌men’s ⁠test cricket before playing five Tests from June onwards in England.

“I’ve got a pretty mad schedule, (but) I wouldn’t say ⁠no,” Pietersen told reporters on Friday.

“I have had a conversation with Stephen but I don’t think that necessarily means that I need to be in a dressing room. There’s a ​lot of time in the ‌lead-up to an Ashes series ... and there are conversations that can be had there.

“I’ve certainly had conversations with Flem about language that he would like me to use with the test batters, going into South ‌Africa, and then certainly into the summer next year. I just ​don’t think I can commit to a lot more time.”

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The 46-year-old’s current role is his first involvement with England since his acrimonius ousting as a player in the aftermath of the 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia, amid reported tensions within the dressing room and between the batsman and team management.

“I’m 46, man. That stuff’s so long gone. I’m a completely different person too,” Pietersen said.

“I’ve been lucky to have ⁠worn every T-shirt an England cricketer can wear; the good, the bad and ⁠the ugly. There are parts to all of their careers which I think I could potentially help them stay away from ‌the ugly.”

Published on Sep 26, 2026

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