England Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Availability

England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The former Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the present time.

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

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which begins on 21 November.

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

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

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

However, before England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood