England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English 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 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
