London, 29 August 2025:
England will permit bowling coach Tim Southee to leave the Ashes tour after the opening Test in Perth so he can honour a T20 franchise deal in the United Arab Emirates — with Andrew Flintoff emerging as a possible replacement.
Southee, 36, impressed when he worked with England’s Test squad this summer and was offered a role for the Ashes. But he is contracted to the Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20, which has moved its season start to December 4, clashing with the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.
That means Southee is only available for the first Test, starting 21 November. England must then draft in a new bowling coach. Flintoff, already in Australia with the Lions squad, is considered a strong candidate given his Ashes experience and familiarity with many of the current bowlers.
England’s management are understood to be open to flexibility, in line with the Bazball era’s relaxed approach, but the bowlers will need to adjust quickly to a new voice after just one Test.
Other options include former coaches James Anderson, Shane Bond and David Saker, though Southee may still opt to prioritise building a long-term coaching career with England over franchise opportunities.
The Ashes squad is expected to be announced after the Ireland tour ends on 21 September.
