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England's bowling coach Tim Southee is expected the squad midway through the 2025-26 Ashes series against Australia. Due to this commitment with Sharjah Warriors in the International League T20 (ILT20), Southee will depart after the first Test match.
After a successful summer with the England squad, Southee has been offered a contract extension through the Ashes series. However, his prior commitments to a franchise cricket league in the UAE have made him unavailable for the entire tour. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering several replacements, with Andrew Flintoff among the names being discussed.
Former New Zealand pacer, the decision is a difficult one. The upcoming years could be his last in franchise cricket, where the financial opportunities far exceed what he would earn in an ECB coaching role. He must weigh this against the chance to build a long-term coaching career with the England team, which would likely require him to step away from all competitive play. Although he has retired from international cricket with New Zealand, Southee remains an active participant in franchise leagues worldwide. Following the conclusion of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, he is currently playing in The Hundred.
Unfortunately, Southee's coaching availability for England's Ashes tour is limited due to a scheduling conflict with his commitments to the ILT20. The Ashes are set to begin on November 21, but the ILT20, where Southee is contracted with the Sharjah Warriors, kicks off on December 4. According to a report from The Telegraph, this means Southee would only be available for the first match of the series.
Southee's participation in a franchise tournament in the middle of a major series is a result of his day-rate contract with the ECB, a similar arrangement to the one they previously had with James Anderson. With Southee likely stepping away from the tour, former English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has emerged as a compelling replacement. Flintoff has already gained extensive coaching experience with the England Lions and is currently with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
Flintoff's familiarity with the Australian conditions makes him an excellent fit. He is already scheduled to be in Australia with the England Lions on a shadowing tour that will run alongside the main Ashes series, making him a great candidate to seamlessly step into the role. Flintoff is a strong candidate for the coaching position due to his vast experience playing in Australian conditions. His familiarity with many of the younger English players, gained from his time coaching the Lions, also makes him a great fit for the role. Southee was brought in as a replacement for former English legend James Anderson, who had briefly taken on the bowling coach role after retiring from international cricket in 2024. Anderson, however, chose to prioritise his playing commitments with Lancashire and in The Hundred over a full-time coaching career.
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