England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee said.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to 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 New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood