England's Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely 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, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
