England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
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 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad 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 at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face 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
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
