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England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

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 will determine the outcome over the coming days."

England bowling legend Stuart Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which starts on 21 November.

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

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood