New Delhi: England have set their sights on appointing former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee as their fast-bowling consultant ahead of a home summer season which includes a blockbuster five-Test series against India starting in June.
The 36-year-old legendary cricketer is one of the candidates to replace veteran fast bowler James Anderson, who was hired for the role after his retirement from Test cricket last year.
The iconic English bowler is unavailable this summer due to playing commitments with county side Lancashire and England Cricket Board wants someone with a similar pedigree and experience to replace him.
Southee frontrunner for England role
Southee’s wealth of experience makes him the frontrunner for the job.
The right-arm fast bowler had called it quits in December, finishing as New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 391 Test wickets, only behind Sir Richard Hadlee’s tally of 431.
As per a report in BBC, he shares a strong bond with England head coach and Kiwi compatriot Brendon McCullum.
Former New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel is also part of England’s coaching staff, offering his services as the spin bowling coach.
Blockbuster home summer awaits England
England will kick-start their home summer with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May. The five-day affair will be followed by a limited-overs series against the West Indies, before The Three Lions host India in a five-Test series starting June 20.
The opening match will be played at Headingley, Leeds, from June 2,0, while the series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Oval in London.
India last toured England for a Test series in 2021. which was suspended after three matches due to COVID-19. India led the series 2-1 before the postponement. The final match was the series was played in 2022 when England won the tie to level the series 2-2.
The last Test series between the two countries was played in early 2024 when India crushed England at home 4-1.
India tour of England: Full list of fixtures
1st Test: 20-24 June, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2-6 July, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10-14 July, 2025 – Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23-27 July, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July-4 August, 2025 – The Oval, London
England Cricket are set to appoint former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee as a bowling consultant for the home summer. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
