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England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins 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 what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

But, before the English team head to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood