Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes Australia is heading into the upcoming Ashes series with its weakest side in more than a decade. He said the pressure will be on the hosts when the five-match series begins next month.
England, who last lifted the Ashes in 2015, have not won a series in Australia since 2011. Australia has dominated the last three home Ashes campaigns, winning 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0.
Although Australia remains the favorite, their preparations have taken a major hit after captain Pat Cummins revealed he is likely to miss the first Test due to injury. Speaking on his podcast For The Love Of Cricket, Broad said Australia’s dominance at home makes them strong contenders, but this time, the pressure of expectations could work against them.
“It’s very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, but Australia are under the most pressure because they’re expected to win,” Broad said. “They’ve got question marks over their team and the captain’s fitness. This is probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and the best English team since then.”
Broad, who retired after the 2023 Ashes series in England, said uncertainty over Australia’s lineup could play a major role in shifting the balance. He noted that in the past, Australia’s strength lay in its consistency, but now the team appears unsettled.
“Australia has to be bad to lose at home, and England has to be very good to win,” he added. “Right now, England has a great chance of being very good, and Australia could easily struggle if things don’t go their way.”
The highly anticipated Ashes series is expected to deliver a thrilling contest between two of cricket’s biggest rivals, with both teams looking to make a strong statement ahead of a crucial year in Test cricket.
