England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability

England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

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

"We'll see what happens over the coming days."

English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.

"In my view there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he said.

"Our focus is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood