England Coach Southee Uncertain on The Ashes Availability

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

The ex- New Zealand pace bowler is expected to be available for the opening match because of his participation in the ILT20 tournament, which begins on 2 December in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old, 36, assumed a position as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after claiming 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Commenting as the English team for the first of three T20 matches against New Zealand was named, Southee said of his availability: "We're still working through that at the moment.

"We'll see the outcome over the coming days."

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

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

"Our focus is firmly on what we're trying to do. I think the quality of [England's] team that's going out to the host country is excellent.

"It ought to be an absolute cracker, the Ashes. Not only [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the whole cricket world is."

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

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis: