England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
