England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was versus the English side in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match 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 role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
