England's Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test match for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood