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England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match because of his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Speaking as the English team for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.

"We will determine what happens over the next little while."

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

"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.

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

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

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

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood