England Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he said of his availability: "We're still working through that 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 Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.
"It should be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, before the English team travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
