England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation
Tim Southee's last Test match for the Kiwis was against England in December 2024.
England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.
The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Broad had stated the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.
"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."
But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
