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England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

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

England bowling legend Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a poor Aussie side," Southee remarked.

"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.

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

However, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood