England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was versus England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
