Kevin Pietersen discusses Test batting support with Stephen Fleming

Kevin Pietersen has held discussions with England's new Test coach Stephen Fleming about helping the team's batters, opening the possibility of work beyond his white-ball mentoring role. BBC Sport reported that the former England batter is receptive to assisting before next summer's home Ashes, although his other commitments rule out a full-time position.

Pietersen is working as a specialist mentor with England's white-ball squads through to next year's 50-over World Cup. According to the Guardian, Brendon McCullum initiated his return with a phone call, followed by several weeks of discussions and face-to-face meetings. Pietersen said the conversations addressed both the proposed role and his previous public criticism of England's setup before he agreed to take it on.

His involvement has already included practical batting work. BBC Sport reported that, before the first one-day international in Durham, England shared footage of Pietersen directing a drill on rotating the strike against spin, with Joe Root and Rehan Ahmed participating. Pietersen said he wanted players to feel comfortable approaching him for advice and hoped his own experiences could help them navigate the difficulties of an international career.

Harry Brook is one player Pietersen believes he can assist with reading match situations. As reported by the Guardian, Pietersen explained that his own attacking batting had been supported by detailed methods, despite occasional reckless dismissals. He still keeps notes on his phone covering his approach to the different formats and believes that underlying structure could be useful to England's white-ball captain.

The return also reconnects Pietersen with an organisation that ended his England playing career in 2014. Speaking at Headingley, the 46-year-old said he had changed since that period and was focused on supporting McCullum and the current players. The Guardian reported that his comments followed England's 16-run defeat by Sri Lanka, which left the one-day series to be decided at the Oval on Sunday.

Any additional Test involvement remains a possibility rather than a confirmed appointment. Pietersen told BBC Sport that helping would not necessarily require him to be in the Test dressing room: conversations with batters while he is around the white-ball squads could also contribute. His existing role remains intermittent, with preparation for the 50-over World Cup its stated focus.