England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
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 United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
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 series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
