England Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was versus the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his availability: "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 the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he remarked.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
