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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with former England paceman Stuart Broad declaring that England will face "probably the worst Australian team since 2010" on tour this winter.

David Warner's Bold Prediction Met With Skepticism

The former England bowler's claim came as a reply to David Warner – a long-time Ashes rival – forecasting a clean sweep for the home side. "Should the skipper [Pat Cummins] be absent, they could perhaps snatch a single victory," Warner said.

The Aussies remain undefeated in a Ashes match on home soil since England’s 3-1 victory in 2010-11. Their 5-0 win three years later – on the back of seven defeats in their previous nine Tests – came before 4-0 series victories in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Team Doubt and Fitness Concerns for Australia

Yet, the No 1-ranked Test side, who have lost only one of their last thirteen series, enter the upcoming assignment with uncertainty over the makeup of their top order and the fitness of Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at the Perth stadium because of a back injury.

"It's extremely challenging to triumph on Australian soil as an England side, or any side," said Broad on his podcast. "The Australians are massive favourites."

"Australia are under the greatest expectations because they’re expected to win, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their squad and question marks over their captain’s fitness. You wouldn’t be outlandish in believing – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it’s probably the worst Australian team since the 2010 era. Meanwhile, it's the strongest England squad since 2010. So those things match up to the fact that it’s going to be a brilliant contest."

Parallel to 2010-11 Series

"The Australians have remained so consistent for a prolonged duration that it was clear who was going to open the batting, who would bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It closely resembles a comparable scenario to 2010-11 when England went and won there. The reality is the Aussies typically need to underperform to lose in Australia and England have to be very good. England have a great chance of being very good and the Australians face a real possibility of underperforming."

Selection Decision for the Visitors

A key question for the English camp remains their choice 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 "strange" for Ben Stokes’ side to abandon Pope, who has been a regular at first drop for the past three seasons.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at three," said Cook. "I think it’s quite an easy decision. You’ve got a player who has been part of this buildup for three or four years. He has led the team, he’s played remarkable performances for the national side and he’s a hundred-maker. He understands how to score hundreds in first-class cricket. If you get rid of him now, I believe that changes the whole dynamic of what they’ve built up over the recent years."

Although praising Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook added: "It would represent a major risk [to pick him] because should it fail where do you move back to, a player you recently discarded? They’ve invested so much in players such as Pope and [Crawley that it would be highly odd to change it now."

Leadership Change and Broadcast Team

Ollie Pope has been replaced by Brook as England’s vice-captain but, as per Cook, that will "take the pressure off" the Surrey batsman.

"The management has acted decisively on that, considering if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they’ve got a guy in Harry Brook who has taken the [captaincy of the] one-day side and it's evident that he seems to be a natural fit. That will just relieve Pope. I don’t think weaken his position. I’m sure it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership role it isn't perfect, but I don’t think it undermines him."

Cook will be in Australia as part of the broadcast team of the Ashes, and will be joined by fellow Ashes winners Steven Finn and Graeme 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 provide co-commentary from on location. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the broadcast team working off-site, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Becky Ives.