England coach set to abandon Ashes for ILT20!! Andrew Flintoff to take over
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English bowling coach Tim Southee, after an impressive summer with the England squad, has been offered an extension till the Ashes; however, his commitments with the franchise cricket league in the UAE make him unavailable for the Ashes, as the ECB cites the likes of Andrew Flintoff as his replacement.
For Tim Southee, the 36-year-old former New Zealand pacer, this could be the final few years of franchise cricket, and the amount of money he can make there would never come in a coaching role for the ECB.
However, this remains an option for Tim Southee; he decides to throw his lot in with the England team and build on a firm coaching profile from here, keeping aside any form of competitive cricket.
Tim Southee to miss Ashes owing to franchise commitments
England bowling coach Tim Southee has retired from international cricket for New Zealand; however, he is still actively participating in franchise-level games around the world. After the end of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, he is currently playing in The Hundred.
However, England's Ashes tour, which is scheduled to begin on the 21st of November, clashes with Southee's ILT20 commitments, where he is contracted to the Sharjah Warriors. The tournament begins on 4th December, marking Southee's availability for only the first match of the Ashes, as per a report in The Telegraph.
However, Southee playing a franchise tournament midway through the Ashes is due to the ECB on a day rate contract with the Kiwi veteran, just like they had with James Anderson before Southee's appointment.
Andrew Flintoff might take charge as the New England bowling coach
As Southee would probably have to step away, Andrew Flintoff, the former English all-rounder, turns up as an intriguing choice for the role. The veteran has already worked extensively with the England Lions and is currently with the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred.
Moreover, Andrew Flintoff will soon be in Australia with the England Lions, in a shadowing tour alongside the main tournament, and hence seems a great match to step in for Southee.
Andrew Flintoff brings along immense experience him having played lots of cricket in Australian conditions. Moreover, he is well aware of many of the young English players since he has worked with them for the Lions.
James Anderson also cited a crucial name for the role
Southee was drafted in shortly before this summer after he announced his retirement from international cricket. His appointment was made by head coach Brendon McCullum.
Southee came into the side as a replacement for former English legend James Anderson, who took up the bowling coach role almost immediately after announcing his retirement in 2024. Anderson had then decided to take up his career choices with Lancashire and in The Hundred instead of adopting only coaching roles.
However, now Anderson remains as one of the choices England have alongside the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Shane Bond, or former Aussie David Saker.
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Tagged:
England National Cricket Team Andrew Flintoff James Anderson Tim Southee Brendon McCullum Ben Stokes ECB The Ashes England vs Australia
