England Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test match for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England bowling legend Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."
However, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
