It is not the first time the England Cricket Board has roped in a Kiwi star, and this time, they signed the former pacer of New Zealand, Tim Southee, as the Specialist Skills Consultant on a short-term contract. He thus will be joining the England head coach Brendon McCullum, who happens to be a former Kiwi. As per reports, Southee will join the England team before they face Zimbabwe for the Test match starting on May 22 at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Following that, he will be touring with the team, as England will play the prestigious MAK Pataudi Trophy against India- the five-match test series starting on June 20. As Southee joins the English camp, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued an official statement saying: “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.” Read also: ICC Announces Jaw-Dropping Prize Pool for WTC 2025 Final Southee Returns for Hundred Duty After finishing his consultancy role with England, Tim Southee will return to action in the Hundred Men’s competition, representing Birmingham Phoenix from August 5. Southee retired from international cricket last year as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker. In 394 matches, he took 776 wickets at an economy of 4.01, including 20 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. He also made his mark with the bat, ending as the fourth-highest six-hitter in Test history with 98 sixes, behind only Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Adam Gilchrist. Meanwhile, England, aiming for their first World Test Championship (WTC) final, will be keen to perform strongly in the ongoing cycle after missing out in the first two editions. They will also host the West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is from May 29 to June 10, across six venues. Their Test series against India begins June 20, with the opener set at Headingley, Leeds.