England Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's most recent Test match for the Kiwis was versus England in December 2024.
England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
Southee, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.
Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.
"We'll see what happens over the coming days."
England pace icon Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he said.
"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.
"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
However, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England's Playing XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Banton
Sam Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Rashid
Wood
