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England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

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

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

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.

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

England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.

"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.

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

But, before the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood