England Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [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 the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
