England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English 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 remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood