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England fast-bowling advisor Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the International League T20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.

"We will determine what happens over the coming days."

England pace icon Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.

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

"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the whole cricket world is."

However, prior to England travel to Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood