Tim Southee joins England support staff till end of India test series

Tim Southee recently called time on his New Zealand playing career.

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has joined the England test team. This announcement was made by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that the Kiwi pacer has been appointed as Specialist Skills Consultant for the England Men’s team and will work with the side on a short-term assignment.

As the all-time top wicket-taker for New Zealand, Southee just concluded his 16-year international career.  England will host a five-match series against India in addition to a one-off test match against Zimbabwe. After disappointing performances in test cricket over the previous two seasons, they will be hoping to improve.

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.

ECB announces Tim Southee’s appointment

The short-term appointment of Tim Southee as a Specialist Skills Consultant was announced by the ECB on its website on Thursday. Until the conclusion of the test series against India, Southee will support England in all forms.

“Former New Zealand international Tim Southee has joined the ECB as a Specialist Skills Consultant for the England Men’s teams on a short-term basis. Southee, 36, who retired from international cricket in December as New Zealand’s all-time leading wicket-taker, will support England’s squads across all formats through to the conclusion of the Rothesay Test series against India. With his vast experience of playing in a wide range of conditions around the world and across all formats, he brings valuable insight and knowledge to the players,” the ECB statement read.

Southee is expected to join England’s team for their first international fixture of the summer, where he reunites with former Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum. They will face Zimbabwe in a one-off test at Trent Bridge beginning next Thursday. England will begin their campaign in the new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and his experience is likely to benefit the coaching staff.

Tim Southee will continue with his obligations to the Birmingham Phoenix franchise in The Hundred later this year, having completed his consultancy work with England during the international summer.

The Kiwi grabbed 391 wickets in 107 tests at an average of 30.26. He is New Zealand’s second-leading wicket-taker in test cricket. Southee is New Zealand’s most wicket-taker in all forms, having taken 776 wickets in 394 international appearances.

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