Tim Southee is set to bring his cricketing expertise to England as he joins the coaching team as a “Specialist Skills Consultant.” The former New Zealand bowler steps in to fill the shoes of James Anderson, who has decided to focus on a playing stint with Lancashire this summer.
Southee, aged 36, concluded his distinguished Test career after England’s 2-1 series victory in New Zealand last December. Throughout his 16-year career, he claimed an impressive 776 wickets across all formats, holding the record for the most wickets by a New Zealander. His cricketing journey saw him frequently playing under Brendon McCullum, his former captain, with whom he shared the field 170 times, including IPL and T20 Blast matches. Last December, England’s team marked his final Test appearance with a signed bottle of red wine, a tribute to his contribution to the game.
England’s coaching staff will welcome Southee just in time for their opening Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. This short-term role will encompass responsibilities across all formats, beginning with the Zimbabwe Test on 22 May, followed by a white-ball series against the West Indies, and culminating in a five-Test series against India. Southee’s tenure will end at the conclusion of the Oval Test on 4 August, after which he will resume playing for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
In a statement, the ECB praised Southee’s appointment, noting: “With his vast experience of playing in a wide range of conditions around the world and across all formats, [Southee] brings valuable insight and knowledge to the players.”
McCullum, now part of England’s coaching set-up, will undoubtedly benefit from the familiar presence of Southee as they refocus on upcoming challenges. Meanwhile, Anderson hopes to rejoin Lancashire following a calf injury. His decision to leave a gap in the coaching staff provided the perfect opportunity for Southee to contribute his wealth of knowledge to England’s evolving team.
