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England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.

"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."

England pace icon Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on November 21.

"In my view there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he remarked.

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.

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

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

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood