England's Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
