England's Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match 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 role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," Southee said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
