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The war of words before the Ashes is escalating further, with former England bowler Broad declaring that England will face "probably the worst Aussie squad since 2010" on tour this winter.

Warner's Confident Forecast Answered by Doubt

Broad's assertion was in response to David Warner – a long-time Ashes rival – predicting a clean sweep for the hosts. "If the captain [Pat Cummins] doesn’t play, they might win one game," Warner said.

Australia have not lost a Ashes match at home after England's series win in 2010-11. Their 5-0 win in the following series – following seven defeats in their last nine matches – came before 4-0 series victories in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Squad Doubt and Fitness Worries for Australia

However, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have lost only one of their last thirteen series, approach the forthcoming contest with questions over the composition of their batting lineup and the fitness of Pat Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at the Perth stadium because of a back issue.

"It's extremely challenging to triumph on Australian soil as an England side, or any visiting team," said Broad on his podcast. "Australia have to be strong favorites."

"The Aussies face the greatest expectations because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their squad and concerns over their skipper's condition. You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it is likely the worst Australian team since the 2010 era. Meanwhile, it's the strongest England squad in over a decade. These factors match up to the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Parallel to 2010-11 Series

"The Australians have remained so consistent for a prolonged duration that you just knew who would open the batting, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It closely resembles a comparable scenario to the 2010-11 period when England traveled and emerged victorious. The reality is the Aussies typically need to underperform to lose in Australia and England have to be very good. The English have a solid opportunity of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of underperforming."

Team Decision for the Visitors

A key question for the English camp remains their selection at the number three position, with Ollie Pope and Bethell contesting the spot. Alastair Cook, whose 766 runs set up the tourists’ series win 15 years ago, believes it would be "unusual" for Stokes' team to abandon Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at first drop for the last three years.

"I'd select Ollie Pope at three," Cook stated. "In my view it’s a straightforward choice. They have someone who’s been part of this buildup for several years. He has led the team, he’s played some extraordinary innings for England and he’s a hundred-maker. He knows how to make big scores in first-class cricket. If you get rid of him now, I believe that alters the entire balance of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

While hailing Jacob Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook said: "It would be a big, big gamble [to pick him] because if that doesn’t work where do you move back to, a player you recently discarded? They have committed heavily in players such as Pope and [Crawley that it would be highly odd to change it now."

Captaincy Shift and Commentary Crew

Ollie Pope has been replaced by Brook as England’s vice-captain but, according to Cook, that will "ease the burden on" the Surrey batsman.

"They’ve been proactive on that, considering in case of an injury to Stokes, they’ve got a guy in Harry Brook who has taken the [captaincy of the] one-day side and everyone has seen that he appears well suited to it. This will take the pressure off. I don’t think weaken his position. Certainly it will have hurt him because anytime you get taken off a leadership role it wouldn’t be ideal, but I doubt it undermines him."

Alastair Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the Ashes, and will be accompanied by fellow Ashes winners Finn and Swann as in-studio analysts. The network will provide its own audio feed but will operate a hybrid model, with commentators Eykyn and Hatch based remotely in the United Kingdom, while Cook, Finn and Swann deliver expert analysis from on location. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the live presentation to be hosted by Becky Ives.