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England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.

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

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

"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee said.

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is brilliant.

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

But, before England head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood