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England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former Kiwi pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Speaking as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.

"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."

English bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which begins on 21 November.

"I don't think there's at any time a poor Aussie side," he remarked.

"The team's attention is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

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

But, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood