England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test for the Kiwis was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see 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 no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
