🔗 Share this article England Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024. England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation. The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates. Southee, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand. Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment. "We will determine what happens over the next little while." English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team 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. "I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said. "Our focus is squarely 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 just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is." However, prior to England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday. England XI v New Zealand: Phil Salt Buttler Jacob Bethell Harry Brook (c) Banton Sam Curran Jordan Cox Brydon Carse Dawson Adil Rashid Luke Wood