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England bowling consultant Southee is currently evaluating what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The ex- New Zealand seamer is only likely to be available for the first Test due to his involvement in the ILT20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, took up a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the warmer months after claiming 391 wickets in 107 Test matches for the Kiwis.

Commenting as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, Southee stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.

"We'll see what happens over the coming days."

England pace icon Broad had declared the Australia side as their "weakest squad since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over the anticipated challenge during the series, which begins on 21 November.

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

"Our focus is firmly on our own objectives. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations eagerly anticipate it, I think the entire cricketing community is."

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

England XI v the Kiwis:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Sam Curran

• Jordan Cox

• Brydon Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood