England's Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus 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 excellent.
"It ought to 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."
But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
