England Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
