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England's bowling consultant Southee is still working through the extent of his role will be during the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The ex- Kiwi seamer is only likely to be available for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Speaking as England's team for the opening of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.

"We'll see what happens over the coming days."

English pace icon Broad had declared the Australian side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the series, which begins on 21 November.

"I don't think there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. I think the caliber of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is excellent.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

But, prior to England head to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood