England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading 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, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
