England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood