England's Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the next little while."
English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
However, before England head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
