England's Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation

England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his involvement in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

Southee, aged 36, took up a position as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.

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

English pace icon Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.

"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," he remarked.

"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the quality of [England's] side that's going out to the host country is excellent.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people eagerly anticipate it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood