ENGLAND white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum says he wants newly appointed mentor Kevin Pietersen to challenge his methods.
Pietersen criticised England players during the tour of India last year, saying none could say they “did everything they can to try and help England win”.
Former batter Pietersen has joined the limited-overs set-up as a specialist mentor until next autumn’s 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“That [Pietersen’s comments] was one of the first things we talked about,” McCullum told BBC Sport.
“He said ‘gee, I was just criticising you not long ago’.
“I said I don’t care about that. Some of it’s fair and some of it would need some explanation, but I have no problem with that.
“It’s healthy when you create an environment where you’re able to challenge.
“That’s one thing I want him to do. It’s not just bury himself in the batting per se, but look across the entire environment, look across how we run things and what we do, and if there’s anything you pick up then just come and challenge me on it.
“Him and I get on well. We had natural respect playing against each other and we spent a bit of time together in the last little while, and I’m super excited to have him as part of our support staff as well.”
Pietersen joined up with the squad on Sunday before the first of three T20s and three ODIs against Sri Lanka in Southampton today. (BBC Sport).