England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was versus England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
