England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was versus the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality 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] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, before the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood