England's Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Participation

England's fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The former New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

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

Speaking as England's squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was named, Southee said of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

"We'll see what happens 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 the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on 21 November.

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

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

"It should be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] English and Australian people looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

However, before the English team travel to the city of Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they face New Zealand in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v New Zealand: