England's Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus England in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
