England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood