England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
