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England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

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

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

"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he said.

"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.

"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood