London, May 15 -- The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday announced the appointment of former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee as the specialist skills consultant for the England men's teams on a short-term basis.

ECB stated on Thursday in a statement, "Former New Zealand international Tim Southee has joined the ECB as a specialist skills consultant for the England men's teams on a short-term basis."

Southee, 36, who retired from international cricket in December as New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker, will support England's squads across all formats through to the conclusion of the Test series against India, which will kickstart from June 20 with the first Test at Headingley.

With his vast experience of playing in a...