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England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

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

Commenting as England's squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We will determine the outcome over the next little while."

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

"In my view there's ever a bad Aussie side," Southee 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 heading out to the host country is brilliant.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

But, before 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

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood