England Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability

England's bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The former Kiwi seamer is only likely to be present for the first Test because of his participation in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, aged 36, assumed a role as England's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Speaking as England's team for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We're still working through the situation at the moment.

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

England bowling legend Stuart Broad had declared the Australia team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a poor Aussie side," he said.

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

"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

But, before England head to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they face New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood