England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Participation

England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former Kiwi seamer is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Speaking as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.

"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."

England bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.

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

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

"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood