England's Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
