England's Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, before England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
