England's Bowling Consultant Tim Southee Unsure on Ashes Participation

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

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which starts on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches 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're still working through the situation at the moment.

"We'll see what happens over the next little while."

English bowling legend Broad had declared the Australian team as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in little doubt over what to expect during the contest, which starts on 21 November.

"In my view there's at any time a bad Aussie side," Southee said.

"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

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

However, before England travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on the Kiwis in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v New Zealand: