England Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was versus England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
