England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test for the Kiwis was versus the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee said.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, before England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
