England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
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 begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
