Stuart Broad claims England will face the “worst” Australian team since 2010 in the upcoming Ashes.
Broad has helped spark the “war of words” ahead of the first Test in Perth on November 21, in response to former Australian opener David Warner predicting a 4-0 win for the hosts.
Broad told the BBC podcast For the Love of Cricket: “You wouldn’t be out of line to think – it’s not actually an opinion, it’s a fact – that it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010, when England last won, and it’s the best England team since 2010.
“So those things add up to it being a brilliant Ashes series.”
For exclusive stories and all the detailed cricket news you need, subscribe to The Cricket Paper website, digital edition or newspaper from just 14p per day.
(Mike Egerton/PA)
Busy
Broad retired as a player after the 2023 Ashes series in England, when Australia held the urn after the series ended 2-2.
He was part of the England squad when they last triumphed in Australia in 2010-11, winning 3-1 under captain Andrew Strauss to retain the urn.
“It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England team, or any team for that matter – that’s just how it is,” Broad said.
“Australia must be huge favourites. The question was really ‘which team is under the most pressure?’
“Well, Australia are under the most pressure because they are expected to win. They are brilliant at home.”
“But they have question marks about their team and question marks about captain (Pat Cummins).”
Weakest
Cummins, sidelined since July due to lumbar bone strain in his back, has said it is “less likely than likely” he will play in the opening Test.
Broad added: “Australia has been so consistent for a long time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers were there – and they haven’t had that.
“I don’t think anyone can argue that this is their weakest team since 2010. It’s just a fact.”
READ MORE: Australian captain Pat Cummins says he is unlikely to suit up for the first Ashes Test
#Stuart #Broad #claims #Australia #worst #team #years #ahead #Ashes #England