🔗 Share this article England Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation The bowler's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in December 2024. England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation. The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE. The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand. Commenting as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through that at the present time. "We'll see what happens over the coming days." England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November. "I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked. "The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant. "It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is." However, before England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday. England's Playing XI v the Kiwis: Salt Jos Buttler Jacob Bethell Brook (captain) Tom Banton Sam Curran Jordan Cox Carse Dawson Adil Rashid Luke Wood