England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
