England's Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
