England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
