England Coach Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's last Test for New Zealand was versus England in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English pace icon Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
