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England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The ex- New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

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

England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.

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

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."

However, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood