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

The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match because of his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, assumed a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as England's squad for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was named, he stated of his participation: "We're still working through that at the moment.

"We will determine what happens over the coming days."

England pace icon Stuart Broad had stated the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on November 21.

"In my view there's ever a poor Australian cricket team," he said.

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

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

But, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Tom Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood