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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with ex-England paceman Broad declaring that England will confront "probably the worst Australian team in over a decade" on tour this season.

Warner's Confident Forecast Answered by Doubt

The former England bowler's claim came as a reply to Warner – an Ashes foe of Broad’s – forecasting a 4-0 victory for the home side. "If the captain [Pat Cummins] doesn’t play, they might win one game," Warner said.

The Aussies remain undefeated in a men’s Ashes match at home since England’s series win in the 2010-11 tour. Their 5-0 win three years later – on the back of seven losses in their last nine matches – came before 4-0 series victories in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Squad Doubt and Injury Worries 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 batting lineup and the fitness of Pat Cummins, who is unlikely to feature in the opening match at Perth because of a back injury.

"It's extremely challenging to triumph on Australian soil as an English team, or any side," said Broad during his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"The Aussies face the most pressure because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re brilliant at home, but they’ve got question marks over their team and concerns over their captain’s fitness. You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it's a reality – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best England squad in over a decade. These factors match up to the reality that it’s going to be a brilliant contest."

Comparison to Historic Series

"Australia have been so consistent for a prolonged duration that you just knew who was going to open the innings, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they don’t have that. It’s very much a similar situation to 2010-11 when England went and won there. The fact of the matter is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England must excel. The English have a solid opportunity of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of being bad."

Selection Decision for the Visitors

A key question for England remains their selection at No 3, with Ollie Pope and Bethell contesting the spot. Alastair Cook, whose prolific scoring paved the way for the visitors' series victory over a decade past, believes it would be "strange" for Ben Stokes’ side to move away from Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at first drop for the last three years.

"I would bat Pope at number three," Cook stated. "I think it’s quite an easy choice. You’ve got a player who has been involved in this preparation for three or four years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered some extraordinary innings for England and he scores centuries. He knows how to make big scores in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I think that alters the entire balance of what they’ve built up over the recent years."

While hailing Jacob Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook added: "It would be a major risk [to pick him] because should it fail what is the fallback option, someone you’ve just got rid of? They have committed heavily in players such as Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would be highly odd to change it now."

Leadership Change and Broadcast Team

Pope has been replaced by Harry Brook as the team's deputy skipper 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 Stokes, they have a player in Brook who has led the ODI team and it's evident that he seems to be a natural fit. That will just take the pressure off. I believe it won't undermine him. I’m sure it will have disappointed him because whenever you're removed from a leadership thing it wouldn’t be ideal, but I doubt it diminishes his standing."

Cook will be in the host nation as part of the broadcast team of the series, and will be joined by former Ashes champions Steven Finn and Swann as on-the-ground pundits. The network will offer a dedicated commentary stream but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch based remotely in the United Kingdom, while the trio deliver expert analysis from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the live presentation to be presented by Ives.