England Coach Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the opening match because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.
"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 Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
