England's Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
