England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England 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
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
