Southee to join England as ‘specialist skills consultant’

Southee to join England 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 short-term appointment, which will see Southee serve in the role until the end of the Test series against India, will see him working closely with the England side through their home summer. Southee is an integral part of the Birmingham Phoenix franchise in The Hundred later this year.

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