England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
