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

The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

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

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

England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on 21 November.

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

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

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

But, prior to the English team travel to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood