England Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," he remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Wood
