England's Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
However, before England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood