England's Bowling Consultant Southee Uncertain on Ashes Availability

England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be at the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be present for the first Test due to his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the UAE.

Southee, 36, took up a position as England's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English squad for the opening of three Twenty20 games against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We're still working through that at the present time.

"We'll see the outcome over the next little while."

England pace icon Broad had stated 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 21 November.

"I don't think there's at any time a bad Aussie side," he remarked.

"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the quality of [the English] team that's heading out to the host country is brilliant.

"It should be an thrilling encounter, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is."

But, prior to England travel to the city of Perth for the first Ashes match, they take on the Kiwis in the city of Christchurch on this Saturday.

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Rashid

• Wood