England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their “worst team since 2010”, but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.
“I don’t think there’s ever a bad Australian cricket team,” Southee said.
“Our focus is firmly on what we’re trying to do. I think the quality of [England’s] side that’s going out to Australia is brilliant.
“It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is.”
But, before England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
England XI v New Zealand:
Phil Salt
Jos Buttler
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook (c)
Tom Banton
Sam Curran
Jordan Cox
Brydon Carse
Liam Dawson
Adil Rashid
Luke Wood