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England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."

England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which starts on November 21.

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

"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] side that's heading out to Australia is brilliant.

"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."

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

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood