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England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We'll see what happens over the next little while."

English bowling legend Broad had stated the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he remarked.

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.

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

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

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood