England's Coach Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability

England's fast-bowling advisor Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

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

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Speaking as England's team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the moment.

"We will determine what happens over the next little while."

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

"I don't think there's at any time a poor Australian cricket team," Southee remarked.

"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. I think the caliber of [England's] side that's going out to Australia is excellent.

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

However, prior to the English team head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Rashid

• Luke Wood