Brendon McCullum, the coach of the England cricket team, has enlisted the help of Tim Southee, a former teammate, as they gear up for a Test series against India, notably without star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Recently retired from international cricket, Southee will serve as a skills consultant for England on a short-term basis, which will last until the conclusion of the current Test series, with the final match set to wrap up on August 4.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) highlighted Southee’s extensive experience in diverse conditions and formats, emphasising the valuable insights he brings to the team. This appointment comes as the England side looks to strengthen its performance against the formidable Indian team.
Following his consultancy role, Southee is expected to return to play in The Hundred, representing Birmingham Phoenix. Interestingly, his last match in international cricket for New Zealand was a victory over England, where the Black Caps triumphed by a significant margin of 423 runs, with Southee contributing by taking two wickets. Nonetheless, England had the last laugh in that series, having won 2-1 overall despite the defeat in his farewell match.