England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, before the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
