England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
