McCullum expresses desire to be challenged by Pietersen

In the recent episode of the Test Match Special Podcast, England's white ball coach Brendon McCullum voiced his eagerness to be challenged by Kevin Pietersen, who is set to join the team as a specialist mentor. The discussion, hosted by Mark Chapman, featured former players Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, and Steven Finn, as they reflected on the past Test summer and anticipated the upcoming winter matches. They spoke about what England hopes to achieve in the upcoming white ball series against Sri Lanka, particularly with Pietersen's involvement, which is seen as a valuable addition for the team's development. The episode, aired on 14 September 2026, also included highlights from the ECB National Club Champions, Shepherds Bush, outlining their journey and contributions to the sport.