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England Cricket Board (ECB) is looking to reserve the services of former New Zealand captain Tim Southee for the upcoming home season. England will kick off their home season with the Test match against Zimbabwe on May 22. Following that, the English side will be hosting the West Indies for six white-ball games (three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals). Their biggest assignment will be against India from June 20 to August 4. During this period, Ben Stokes and co. will play five Tests against Rohit Sharma and his men. Their home season will conclude after taking on South Africa for six limited-over games.
As per a BBC report, Southee is a favourite for the position as he shares a perfect bond with England’s head coach Brendon McCullum, who played with the pacer for New Zealand from 2008 to 2016. If Southee joins England's camp, he will be the third New Zealander among the coaching staff members. McCullum, along with Jeetan Patel, is a part of New Zealand’s coaching squad. Jeetan is currently serving England as their spin-bowling coach.
England will look to halt India in the upcoming Test series at home
England’s biggest headache will be against India, who will start their tour for five Tests from June 20. The opening game between both teams will be played at Headingley from June 20 to 24. Rohit Sharma and his boys haven’t played quality cricket in the red-ball format in their last two series.
England, on the other hand, had a tough time in white-ball cricket after losing the white-ball series in India in January-February and Champions Trophy 2025 played in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. India will look to win their first Test series on English soil after 18 years. India won their last Test series in England under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy in 2007, beating the home team by 1-0.
