England's Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
