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England bowling consultant 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 only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.

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

English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.

"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.

"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.

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

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood