England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was versus England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
