England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was versus the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, before the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood