England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation

England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.

Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We'll see what happens over the coming days."

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.

"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.

"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.

"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

But, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood