England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," Southee said.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
