England's Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
