England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for the Kiwis was versus the English side in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to the English team head 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:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
