England's Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
