England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test for the Kiwis was against England in the final month of 2024.
England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.
The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.
Southee, 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.
Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.
"We will determine what happens over the coming days."
English pace icon Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.
"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."
But, prior to England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Carse
Liam Dawson
Rashid
Wood
