England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England bowling legend Broad had stated the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood