England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
However, before the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
