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England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role 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 opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as England's squad for the opening of three T20 matches against New Zealand was announced, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

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

English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," he remarked.

"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] 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 think the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood