England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's most recent Test for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.
"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."
English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.
"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, before England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
