England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team 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 XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
