England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi seamer 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 United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England 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 New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
