Root welcomes Pietersen return to England setup

Pietersen, England's third-highest run-scorer across all formats with 13,779 runs, was appointed specialist mentor to the white-ball teams on Monday as part of preparations for the 2027 World ​Cup in South Africa.

Root, who played alongside Pietersen before his England ​career ended in 2014, said the 46-year-old's experience and knowledge ⁠would benefit a squad featuring players who grew up watching him. "A lot ​of the guys would have watched him and got into the game because ​of him.

It will be great for those guys to have the opportunity to work alongside him," Root. Pietersen's England career ended after the team's 5-0 ​Ashes whitewash in Australia, amid reported tensions within the dressing room and ​between the batter and team management.

Root dismissed concerns over Pietersen's outspoken nature, saying the current ‌environment ⁠was well placed to benefit from his expertise. "When you get someone involved you want them to be themselves and you want them to come into an environment for a reason.

With his experience and knowledge about the ​game, and all ​that he can ⁠offer, I think he's going to be great," Root said. "You're looking at so many hypothetical things that could go ​wrong, when there are so many amazing things he ​will bring ⁠to that environment.

"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. "Pietersen will join Brendon Mc. Cullum's coaching ​staff for next week's white-ball series against Sri Lanka, working alongside Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan ​Patel and Sarah Taylor.