England Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
English pace icon Broad had stated the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
