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England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, assumed a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

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

"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."

England bowling legend Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on November 21.

"In my view there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," Southee said.

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

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

But, prior to the English team travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood