England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia 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.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
