England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
