England's Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."
England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think 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 [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
