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England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

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

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.

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

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.

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

But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood