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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with former England bowler Stuart Broad declaring that the English side will confront "probably the worst Australian team since 2010" on tour this season.

David Warner's Confident Forecast Answered by Skepticism

The former England bowler's claim came as a reply to Warner – a long-time Ashes rival – forecasting a 4-0 victory for the hosts. "Should the skipper [Pat Cummins] be absent, they could perhaps snatch a single victory," Warner commented.

Australia have not lost a men’s Ashes match at home since England’s 3-1 victory in 2010-11. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash in the following series – following seven defeats in their previous nine Tests – came before 4-0 series victories in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Team Doubt and Injury Concerns for Australia

Yet, the No 1-ranked Test side, who have suffered just a single defeat of their past 13 bilateral series, enter the upcoming assignment with uncertainty over the makeup of their top order and the health of Pat Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at Perth because of a back injury.

"It’s very, very difficult to triumph on Australian soil as an England side, or any side," said Broad during his podcast. "Australia have to be strong favorites."

"The Aussies face the greatest expectations because they’re expected to win, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their team and concerns over their captain’s fitness. It's not unreasonable in believing – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it is likely the weakest Aussie lineup since the 2010 era. Meanwhile, it's the strongest English team since 2010. So those things match up to the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Parallel to Historic Series

"The Australians have remained highly stable for a long period of time that you just knew who would open the batting, who was going to bat, what bowlers there were, and they don’t have that. It closely resembles a comparable scenario to 2010-11 when England went and won there. The fact of the matter is the Aussies typically need to underperform to be defeated at home and England have to be very good. England have a great chance of performing exceptionally and Australia have a decent chance of underperforming."

Team Dilemma for England

A key question for the English camp remains their selection at No 3, with Pope and Jacob Bethell contesting the spot. Alastair Cook, whose prolific scoring paved the way for the visitors' series victory 15 years ago, believes it would be "unusual" for Ben Stokes’ side to abandon Ollie Pope, who has been a regular at first drop for the last three years.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at number three," said Cook. "In my view it’s quite an easy decision. They have someone who’s been part of this buildup for several years. He’s captained the side, he’s played remarkable performances for England and he’s a hundred-maker. He knows how to make big scores in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I believe that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

While hailing Jacob Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook added: "It would be a major risk [to pick him] because should it fail where do you move back to, a player you recently discarded? They have committed heavily in people like Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would seem such a strange thing to change it now."

Leadership Change and Commentary Crew

Pope has been replaced by Harry Brook as the team's deputy skipper but, as per Cook, that will "ease the burden on" the Surrey batsman.

"The management has acted decisively on that, thinking if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they have a player in Harry Brook who has led the ODI team and everyone has seen that he seems to be well suited to it. This will relieve Pope. I believe it won't undermine him. I’m sure it will have hurt him because anytime you get taken off a leadership role it wouldn’t be ideal, but I don’t think it diminishes his standing."

Alastair Cook will be in the host nation as part of TNT’s coverage of the series, and will be joined by former Ashes champions Steven Finn and Swann as in-studio analysts. The network will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Eykyn and Rob Hatch to work off-site in the UK, while the trio deliver expert analysis from on location. Rainford-Brent is also part of the broadcast team working off-site, with the live presentation to be presented by Becky Ives.