England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
The bowler's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"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 caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood