England Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt 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 remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
