England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was versus 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- Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English team for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."
England bowling legend Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect 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 our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
