England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England 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 starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
