Tim Southee Set to Leave England’s Ashes 2025-26 Campaign Midway for ILT20

After the first Ashes Test, Tim Southee, the bowling coach for England and a former pacer for New Zealand, is expected to depart Ben Stokes and company. The Telegraph has reported on the development, and Andrew Flintoff might potentially take his place. Since May 2015, the New Zealand pacer has managed the England team. He will have to depart for the Ashes 2025 franchise event, though, as he is linked to the Sharjah Warriorz as a player in the International League T20.

The biggest Test challenge for England will be the Ashes, which kicks off in Perth on November 21. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will be under tremendous pressure to turn things around after a difficult India series earlier in the year. Southee was instrumental in supporting England's bowling squad during the summer, so his absence is anticipated to be a significant blow.

Tim Southee to Exit Ashes 2025-26: 

England will allow bowling coach Tim Southee to leave the Ashes tour after the first Test to play franchise cricket in the UAE 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Via @NHoultCricketpic.twitter.com/gq6nqCstOM

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) August 29, 2025

Following the five-match series against India, Ben Stokes' team will probably face another challenging task in the Ashes, a crucial series for England. Therefore, the arrival of Andrew Flintoff is probably going to benefit England in both the mental and cricket skills areas. Flintoff is an excellent fit for the position because he has just worked as a coach with the England Lions and will be in Australia for the shadow tour.

The 36-year-old Southee is still playing in foreign franchise competitions despite having retired from New Zealand's national cricket team. Like James Anderson's brief tenure as bowling coach before him, he has a day-rate contract with the ECB. Although the former's contract gives him freedom, England runs the risk of losing him if franchise competitions conflict. Southee is eligible for the first Test before leaving for the UAE because the ILT20 starts on December 4 and immediately conflicts with the Ashes schedule. 

Southee told ESPNCricInfo, "It's probably come a little bit quicker than I would've expected… It's a game I love and a game that has given me so much. If I'm able to give back and help other people enjoy the game as much as I did, then hopefully there's that opportunity there."

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