England's Coach Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
Tim Southee's most recent Test match for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former New Zealand seamer is expected 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, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
