Kevin Pietersen has branded England 's decision to name New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum as their new Test coach "very interesting".
McCullum has been tasked with turning around a side that have won just one of their last 17 Test matches and Pietersen believes the combination of McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes will bring about "positive change".
In his latest Betway column, Pietersen wrote: "Brendon McCullum is a very interesting choice as England's Test match coach. I think his brand of cricket is one that will be along the same lines as what Rob Key and Ben Stokes want. It's also what the paying public want to watch. Something needed to change, and this is positive change.
"England will now have lots of discipline, but also be encouraged to play naturally. Don't be scared, don't be timid, go out and do your thing. McCullum also isn't scarred by England's recent failures. He only knows positivity, and he's only known success as a leader of a Test team after his time as captain of New Zealand."
Pietersen also lauded the inclusion of Harry Brook in the squad for England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand, with the Yorkshire star enjoying an excellent start to the County Championship season. In nine innings so far this season, Brook has made 840 runs at an average of 140.00.
"The selection of Harry Brook in the Test squad follows his blueprint," Pietersen added. "I said that Brook should be in the Test squad when I saw him play in The Hundred last summer.
"He is a natural talent, and has to be backed. Even though the rest of the squad is quite similar, hopefully McCullum and Stokes can get them playing better cricket.
"I don't believe that these aren't the best players in England, I just think that the standard of players coming out of the county game is poor. Hopefully McCullum can get more out of them."
