England's Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation

Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.

England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.

"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."

England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis: