England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
The bowler's last Test match for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team head to 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
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
