Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen believes a T20 World Cup-winning coach could be the right fit as England consider l beyond Brendon McCullum.

Overview:

Despite past differences between the two at the international level, Pietersen noted that players have told him the RCB coach has significantly evolved.

After England’s struggles on Australian soil, Kevin Pietersen has called for a rethink at the top, backing a return for Andy Flower as head coach. The suggestion comes with Brendon McCullum’s position under scrutiny following a one-sided 1–4 Ashes defeat during the 2025–26 tour.

With the England and Wales Cricket Board initiating a deep assessment of recent results, uncertainty surrounds the red-ball leadership group. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes find themselves under scrutiny, particularly after the skipper hinted that the aggressive Bazball philosophy may have reached its natural endpoint, opening the door for the ECB to explore alternative coaching options for Test cricket.

Kevin Pietersen used X to explain a bold idea he has been considering bringing Andy Flower back into the England setup. He argued that Flower has moved with the times, connects better with the modern cricketer, and retains a strong feel for Test cricket. Despite past differences between the two at the international level, Pietersen noted that players have told him the RCB coach has significantly evolved.

Andy Flower enjoyed a highly successful stint at the helm of England, highlighted by a commanding 3–1 Ashes triumph in Australia in 2010–11. His tenure also featured a landmark Test series victory in India, underlining England’s rise as a dominant red-ball side. In white-ball cricket, Flower oversaw England’s breakthrough moment by guiding them to their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2010.

Andy Flower stepped away from the England role in 2014 and has since emerged as one of the most sought-after minds on the T20 circuit. His success includes steering Multan Sultans to the 2021 PSL title and playing a pivotal role in RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...