England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be present for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality 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] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
