Southee Joins England Squad As 'Specialist Skills Consultant'

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has been roped in by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as Specialist Skills Consultant for the senior men's side across formats. The 36-year-old is expected to link up with the Test side ahead of the one-off match against Zimbabwe scheduled at Trent Bridge.

This is a short-term appointment. Southee will work closely with the senior men's team of England until the conclusion of the five-match test series against the touring Indians. Soon after the conclusion of the series, the former Kiwi fast bowler will switch to his playing mode, where he will play for the Birmingham Phoenix at 'The Hundred'. Southee is an integral part of the Phoenix squad in the Hundred competition.

Southee Joins England As Consultant

Southee, New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in international cricket, is expected to give England's coaching regime a lot of teeth as the side moves into a fresh cycle of the World Test Championship.

The right-arm seamer who made his international debut in 2008 holds the distinction of being the only pacer to play 100 matches in each of the three formats. Southee is also the only bowler to bag 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets.

Before retiring, Southee relinquished his Test captaincy before New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0 at home under Tom Latham. He featured in four ODI World Cups, seven T20I World Cups, and two Champions Trophy events. Southee was integral to New Zealand’s WTC final triumph in the inaugural edition in 2021 over India, picking five wickets in the summit clash.