Snape has also played for Northants and Gloucestershire

The 33-year-old county stalwart, who played 10 one-day internationals for England between 2001-2, has a Masters degree in sports psychology.

He is already in the Caribbean working with associate sides and will now miss Leicestershire's pre-season tour to assist England in Jamaica and St Lucia.

"He'll make an important contribution," England coach Duncan Fletcher observed.

Fletcher added that Snape has a number of attributes that will be of use to the team as they prepare to open their campaign against New Zealand on 16 March.

"Jeremy has extensive experience of the one-day game, ability to work with the spinners and good understanding of sports psychology," the coach said.

606: DEBATE What difference do you expect Snape to make?

Snape, who skippered Leicestershire to Twenty20 Cup glory last season, played half his international matches against Zimbabwe, taking eight of his 13 wickets against them, but also toured India.

Before he begins his association with England, he must first endeavour to inspire the Netherlands team, who lost by 182 runs against India on Tuesday.

"Sports psychologist Snape will tomorrow start work with the team as it is a bit low at the moment," said Dutch captain Luuk van Troost.

Meanwhile, England batsman Kevin Pietersen insists he can curb his flamboyant style if necessary on the slower Caribbean wickets.

Confidence is there but we are now playing against every nation and we have to be as hot as anything Kevin Pietersen

"I had to adapt to the sub-continent and I've had to do it on occasions in Australia and I've had to nudge and nurdle for hours at a time on occasion," said Pietersen, who confirmed he was fully fit after the broken rib that forced his early return from down under.

"I was diving around in the field, I've been bowling in the nets and batting without any discomfort at all so I'm raring to go."

He added that confidence within the England camp was good, having not been quite so healthy for much of the Australian tour.

"I was out in Australia for nine weeks and we didn't come close to winning a game.

"The morale wasn't fantastic and there wasn't much banter around the dressing room when we were getting hammered like we were. To watch the boys come back from where they were to win the competition was fantastic."

Looking ahead to the World Cup campaign, which continues against Canada and Kenya after the opening clash with the Kiwis, Pietersen added: "Confidence and caution go hand in hand.