England's Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
