England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
