Kevin Pietersen said he was looking forward to sharing the benefits of his experience with international stars of the future now that his own England career had been terminated.
“It is good to come to the end of an international career and help others who are the start of an international career,” Pietersen told kiaoval.Com yesterday.
“I won’t be forceful in my knowledge. But I’ve got experience in training, the mental preparation that goes in to making you successful — which I’ve nailed well.
“So it’s a case of handing over that knowledge, if someone wants it.”
The 33-year-old batsman was sensationally axed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in February following the team’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.
That was despite South Africa-born Pietersen being England’s leading run-scorer across all formats and their top contributor with the bat during the Ashes debacle too.
Although he has re-signed with Surrey to play in all formats for the Oval-based county, Pietersen’s immediate future is as a Twenty20 ‘gun for hire’, initially with the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
Pietersen also plans to take part in both English domestic T20 with Surrey and the Caribbean Premier League equivalent for an as yet to be decided franchise, even though the two tournaments overlap.
Speaking ahead of the start of the English county season, Pietersen also said he was delighted to be back at The Oval — where he scored his maiden Test hundred in 2005 — and working with new Surrey coach Graham Ford, who has known him since he was a youngster in South Africa.
“I love hitting with Fordy. He is my mentor and he’s an absolute superstar,” Pietersen said. “He gets me and understands my game, so it’s not the worst point to start from.
“Coming back here excites me. Hitting balls again gives me a big buzz. I always love playing at the Oval. I love playing for Surrey. It’s special.