England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
