England Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
