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England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, assumed a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as England's squad 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 pace icon Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a bad Aussie side," he said.

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

"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 the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood