England's Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
