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England fast-bowling advisor Tim Southee is currently evaluating the extent of his role will be at the forthcoming Ashes series in the host nation.

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is only likely to be present for the opening match due to his participation in the International League T20 competition, which starts on December 2 in the UAE.

The 36-year-old, aged 36, took up a role as England's pace bowling advisor in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as the English team for the first of three Twenty20 games against New Zealand was named, Southee stated of his participation: "We are still evaluating that at the present time.

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

England pace icon Stuart Broad had declared the Australian side as their "worst team since 2010", but the consultant was in no uncertainty over what to expect during the contest, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," he said.

"The team's attention is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] 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."

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

England's Playing XI v New Zealand:

• Salt

• Jos Buttler

• Bethell

• Harry Brook (c)

• Tom Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Liam Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood