England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was versus the English side in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"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 Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
