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England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Speaking as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.

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

English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.

"In my view there's ever a poor Aussie side," Southee said.

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood