England Consider Southee As Bowling Consultant

England are considering erstwhile New Zealand world Tim Southee arsenic their fast-bowling advisor for nan location summer.

James Anderson has held nan position since he retired from Test cricket past summer, but is unavailable this twelvemonth because of his playing commitments pinch Lancashire.

Seamer Southee, 36, retired from world cricket successful December arsenic New Zealand's all-time starring wicket-taker.

He is bully friends pinch England caput coach Brendon McCullum, who made a position to Southee connected nan outfield successful Hamilton pursuing his last quality for nan Black Caps.

If Southee joins nan England set-up he would go nan 3rd New Zealander connected nan staff, alongside McCullum and adjunct coach Jeetan Patel.

It is understood that different candidates person besides been sounded retired for nan role.

Whoever takes nan position will beryllium charged pinch guiding England's gait bowlers done nan first portion of a defining year, pinch a location Test bid against India coming earlier nan Ashes successful Australia.

England's summertime originates pinch a one-off Test against Zimbabwe astatine Trent Bridge adjacent month. A squad will beryllium named astatine nan extremity of this week.

Injuries to Chris Woakes and Mark Wood will consequence successful an inexperienced pace-bowling department. Gus Atkinson, pinch only 11 erstwhile Tests, will beryllium nan astir elder seamer.

Sam Cook, 27, looks group for a first call-up aft he was rested from Essex's Championship match against Somerset earlier this period astatine England's request.

Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts will besides beryllium successful nan mix. Brydon Carse is recovering from a ft problem and Jofra Archer, presently astatine nan Indian Premier League, could make his return to red-ball cricket for England Lions erstwhile they meet India A successful June.

Before Anderson retired England did not person a pace-bowling master successful their coaching staff. After nan 42-year-old ended his record-breaking world career, he remained a near-constant beingness successful nan England dressing room.

But he has signed a one-year woody to play pinch Lancashire this summer, which he has stated will beryllium his priority, up of coaching commitments pinch England.

Anderson is yet to play this play because of a calf wounded and will again miss Lancashire's Championship lucifer astatine location to Gloucestershire, starting connected Friday. He could re-join nan England unit for nan Ashes series.