England's Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood