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England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."

English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.

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

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] side that's heading out to Australia is excellent.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

However, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood