England Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test match for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
