England add NZ great Southee to coaching staff

England have confirmed Tim Southee as a fast-bowling consultant for the first part of the home summer.

James Anderson has held the position since retiring from Test cricket but is unavailable because of his playing commitments with Lancashire - he is expected to make his return for the Red Rose against Derbyshire on Friday.

New Zealander Southee, 36, retired from international cricket in December and is a close friend and former team-mate of England head coach Brendon McCullum.

Southee will be with England for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, white-ball series with West Indies and the five-match Test series against India, before playing for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

An England statement said: "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."

Southee's immediate task will be to guide an inexperienced fast-bowling unit at the beginning of a crucial year, with an away Ashes series following the contest against India.

Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Olly Stone are all absent from the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, beginning next Thursday.

The pace bowlers in the squad are Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue and the uncapped Sam Cook, meaning England could field their most inexperienced seam attack in a home Test since 2003.

Although England sounded out other candidates for the role, Southee emerged as the leading contender last month.

Only the great Sir Richard Hadlee, with 431, has taken more than Southee's 391 Test wickets for New Zealand. He ended his international career against England on his home ground in Hamilton just before Christmas, after which McCullum made a presentation to Southee on the outfield.

Along with assistant coach Jeetan Patel, England now have three New Zealanders in their backroom staff.

Before Anderson retired England did not have a pace-bowling specialist in their coaching staff. After the 42-year-old ended his record-breaking international career, he remained a near-constant presence in the England dressing room.

But he has signed a one-year deal to play with Lancashire this summer, which he has stated will be his priority ahead of coaching commitments with England.

Anderson is yet to play this season because of a calf injury. He could rejoin the England staff for the Ashes series.