England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was versus the English side 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 only likely to be available for the opening match 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 fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
England bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
