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England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

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

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as the English squad for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."

England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.

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

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

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood