England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was versus the English side in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's squad for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to the host country is excellent.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people 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 XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood