England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," Southee said.
"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. 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 just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
However, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Luke Wood
