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

The ex- Kiwi seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, 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 Tests for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

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

English bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on 21 November.

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

"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

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

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood