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England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

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

"We will determine what happens over the next little while."

English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.

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

"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."

But, before England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood