CRICKET POLL

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has been roped in by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as Specialist Skills Consultant for the senior men's side across formats. The 36-year-old is expected to link up with the Test side ahead of the one-off match against Zimbabwe scheduled at Trent Bridge.

This short-term appointment, which will see Southee serve in the role until the end of the Test series against India, will see him working closely with the England side through their home summer. The Kiwi will also sneak into his player duties once The Hundred starts later this year. Southee is an integral part of the Birmingham Phoenix franchise in that competition.

Southee, New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in international cricket, is expected to add a lot of teeth to England's coaching regime as the side moves into a fresh cycle of the World Test Championship.