England's Coach Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability
The bowler's last Test match for New Zealand was against the English side in December 2024.
England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.
The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.
Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.
"We'll see what happens over the next little while."
England pace icon Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.
"In my view there's at any time a bad Australian cricket team," he said.
"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.
"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."
However, before England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.
England XI v the Kiwis:
Salt
Buttler
Bethell
Brook (captain)
Banton
Curran
Cox
Carse
Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood
