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England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

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

English pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the series, which begins on November 21.

"In my view there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.

"The team's attention is firmly on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [England's] team that's heading out to the host country is excellent.

"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

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

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood