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England bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

Southee, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Commenting as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, he said of his participation: "We are still evaluating the situation at the present time.

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

English pace icon Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.

"I don't think there's ever a poor Aussie side," Southee said.

"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to Australia is excellent.

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

But, prior to England travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood