Strauss backs 'complicate' Pietersen to mentor 'inexperienced' younger ODI teammates

Former England captain Andrew Strauss has said that he believes that his former teammate Kevin Pietersen can be a mentor to an inexperienced England one-day side despite his own often-troubled relationship with Pietersen.

Pietersen was briefly exiled from the England squad last year after he was accused of sending derogatory text messages about then England captain Strauss to South Africa players.

According to Sport24, following the incident, Strauss retired from all senior cricket, although he insisted that his decision had nothing to do with the fall-out from the controversy sparked by Pietersen, whom he had succeeded as England captain.

Despite the controversial relationship between them, Strauss backed Pietersen to guide the one-day squad, which is 1-0 down in a five-match series, as he is the most senior player there with Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann all being rested ahead of the return Ashes series in Australia.

According to Strauss, the experience of playing alongside Pietersen can only benefit the younger players in the squad, which includes the likes of all-rounder Ben Stokes, adding that Pietersen can be really good with young players.

Stating that it is good that Pietersen is playing in the ODI series against Australia, Strauss also said that he hopes that Pietersen is playing the mentoring role well, adding that the fact that he is opening the batting in one-day cricket is an interesting and potentially explosive option for England to use.

Admitting that Pietersen is a complicated character, Strauss however, said that he can be fantastic and engaged in the dressing room and also can go out of his way to help other people at times, adding Pietersen is now at a stage of his career where he can offer guidance to his younger teammates.