Pietersen’s eyes roll slightly when he is asked about Ben Stokes’ recent comments comparing Harry Brook’s talents to his.
Pietersen, like Brook, was a maverick – a batter capable of incredible highs. Those highs mean the lows come with a disproportionate level of criticism.
“Where I can help him is playing situations, because there was a lot of method in my madness,” Pietersen says.
“Yes, occasionally, I got out to reckless shots and crazy shots in the ’80s and ’90s but there was a lot of structure to the way that I batted.
“I’ve still got notes on my phone on how I played in T20 cricket, one-day cricket, Test match cricket, and about hitting straight back at the stumps, and the techniques, and how I did it, and don’t play certain shots.
“That all-round structure is something I could potentially help him with because he’s so flipping good.
“It’s actually frightening how good he is and how good he can be.”
And Pietersen says he will not limit himself to working purely on white-ball cricket.
He has already spoken to new Test coach Stephen Fleming about how he can help the Test batters during his time with the white-ball squads.
Though he said he would not have time for a full-time role, he suggested he is open to working with the Test side before next summer’s home Ashes series.
“I have got a pretty mad schedule,” he says. “I wouldn’t say no.
“I don’t think that necessarily means I need to be in a dressing room.
“There is a lot of time in the lead up to an Ashes series and a tour of South Africa, when I will be with the Test batters.
“There are conversations I can have there.”
Who knows how long this will last. England may as well make the most of this second chance.
