England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability

England 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 expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, aged 36, took up a position as England's pace bowling advisor in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Tests for New Zealand.

Speaking as the English squad for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

"We will determine the outcome over the coming days."

English bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which begins on 21 November.

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

"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, 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 face the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis: