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

The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, took up a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as the English team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.

"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."

England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.

"In my view 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 [England's] team that's going out to the host country is excellent.

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

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

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood