England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 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 claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before the English team travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
