England Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability

England bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he said of his availability: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.

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

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

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood