England's Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
