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England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

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

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."

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

"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee said.

"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood