England Coach Tim Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Participation

England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the forthcoming Ashes contest in the host nation.

The ex- Kiwi pace bowler is only likely to be available for the opening match due to his participation in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, assumed a role as the English team's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 wickets in 107 Tests for the Kiwis.

Commenting as the English squad for the first 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 coming days."

English pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australia side as their "worst team since 2010", but Southee was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the contest, which starts on November 21.

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

"The team's attention is squarely on what we're trying to do. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] team 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 think the whole cricket world is."

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

England XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Sam Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Luke Wood