England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
But, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
