England's Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through 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 International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
