England's Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
The bowler's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
