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

The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

"We'll see what happens over the coming days."

England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.

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

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

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood