Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has been officially appointed as a Specialist Skills Consultant for England’s cricket team, marking a significant addition to the coaching staff ahead of a packed international summer. The 36-year-old will replace James Anderson in England’s backroom setup for the upcoming Zimbabwe Test, white-ball series against West Indies, and the high-profile five-Test series against India.
Southee to Reunite with Brendon McCullum
Southee will reunite with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, now England’s Test head coach. The two shared the field in 170 international matches, including 78 under McCullum’s captaincy, and also played together at RCB in the IPL and Middlesex in county cricket.
McCullum had famously gifted Southee a bottle of signed wine at the conclusion of the latter’s 107th and final Test in December 2024, when England sealed a 2-1 series win in New Zealand.
From Player to Coach
Southee retired from Test cricket last year after a 16-year international career, finishing with a New Zealand-record 776 international wickets. His appointment is a like-for-like replacement for James Anderson, who transitioned into a coaching role post-retirement but is now focusing on his playing commitments with Lancashire.
The ECB said in a statement:
“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.”
England Summer 2025 Schedule
- 1st Test vs Zimbabwe: Begins May 22 at Trent Bridge
- White-ball series vs West Indies
- Five-Test series vs India: June–July
- Southee’s stint ends August 4 after the Oval Test
After his England stint, Southee will resume playing duties in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix.
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