England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure 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 at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
