England Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English squad 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 coming days."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
