Tim Southee is likely to remain part of England’s coaching staff for the Ashes but is scheduled to leave after the first Test to play Twenty20 cricket.
It had been expected that Southee, who took up a position as England’s bowling consultant in the summer, would leave the coaching staff at the conclusion of the white-ball series in New Zealand, but speaking here in Christchurch he confirmed that negotiations for him to stay on were ongoing.
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“It’s something I’d love to be part of,” said Southee of the Ashes. “But there’s a few things to go through first. As a Kiwi kid growing up, I’ve always been an avid watcher of the Ashes and never thought I’d have the chance to be part of a series. So to be working with the guys in the lead-up to an Ashes and around the Test group is very exciting.”
Southee is still playing franchise cricket, including in The Hundred this year where he dismissed Joe Root, and has a contract to play in the ILT20 which begins in the United Arab Emirates on December 2, two days before the start of the second Test.
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As such, it is expected that Southee, who took almost 800 wickets for New Zealand, will be with the squad for the warm-up fixture against the Lions and the opening Test in Perth before departing.
It is currently to be confirmed who, or indeed if, anyone will replace Southee, with managing director Rob Key saying in September that England were “still in the process” of making their final decisions.
England have made a habit of hiring coaching staff who have experience of the conditions they are playing in, bringing in Mike Hussey for their 2022 T20 World Cup victory in Australia and West Indian legend Kieron Pollard for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last year.
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Key stressed in September that anyone brought in for the Ashes “doesn’t have to be an Australian”, but someone, “who has been successful out in Australia, understands the conditions and what we’re doing”.
On that basis, two potential names could be former South African bowler Dale Steyn, who had a stint coaching the England Lions last year and averaged 28.77 across his career in Australia. Another option could be Aussie David Saker, who has worked with England regularly over the last 15 years, including being on the coaching staff when England last won an away Ashes in 2010-11.
Meanwhile, as England prepare to play three T20s against New Zealand, the first of which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch at 7.15am Friday morning (UK time), Telegraph Sport takes a look at their preparation.
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Queenstown warm-up
England like touring New Zealand. In no small part because on all three of their last trips to this part of the world (each of which has come during Kiwi Brendon McCullum’s time in charge) they’ve had a week of team bonding in Queenstown before the cricket begins.
McCullum has again opted to begin England’s preparations in New Zealand – PA/Bradley Collyer
It has been the Test team who have received the treatment on the last two occasions, but this time it was the turn of the white-ball squad to have some fun. A welcome treat for a group that does not often get to spend too much quality time together.
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Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world, with bungee jumping, skydiving and jet boating available at every turn. Some players decided to branch out. Most, however, chose golf.
Buttler ill as Ashes bowlers arrive
It was a tricky trip to New Zealand for Jos Buttler, who came down with a stomach bug on the flight over. An unfortunate series of events, but the former captain has recovered and played a full part in England’s first training session of the trip and will open the batting and keep wicket as normal in the opening T20.
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England cricketers will continue to drip feed into New Zealand over the next week, as the red-ball quicks arrive to begin their Ashes preparations. Gus Atkinson landed on Thursday, while Mark Wood and Josh Tongue are due to touch down in a week’s time.
No Crawley or Ahmed in first T20 team
This series marked the first time Zak Crawley had been called up to England’s T20 squad, but he will have to wait to make his debut as Brook stuck with the top three that England had in Ireland, consisting of Buttler, Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell.
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Rehan Ahmed was also overlooked, as England preferred the left-arm spin of Liam Dawson to complement Adil Rashid’s wrist spin.
Sam Curran will look to make his case to be involved in next year’s T20 World Cup – Getty Images/Gareth Copley
It was a big selection for Sam Curran, however, who will play a full role as an all-rounder batting six and acting as England’s fifth bowler. Previously unfavoured by the McCullum regime, Curran now has an opportunity to stake his claim ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Jordan Cox has also been given an opportunity at No 7, where he will play an unfamiliar finisher role.
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