England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
England bowling legend Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
