England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test match for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
