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The war of words before the Ashes is escalating further, with ex-England paceman Broad declaring that the English side will confront "probably the worst Aussie squad in over a decade" on tour this season.

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 – predicting a clean sweep for the hosts. "Should the skipper [Pat Cummins] be absent, they could perhaps snatch a single victory," Warner said.

Australia have not lost a Ashes match on home soil since England’s series win in the 2010-11 tour. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash in the following series – following seven losses in their previous nine Tests – was followed by 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Team Doubt and Fitness Worries for the Hosts

However, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have lost only one of their past 13 bilateral series, enter the upcoming assignment with questions over the makeup of their batting lineup and the fitness of Pat Cummins, who is unlikely to feature 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 during his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"Australia are under the greatest expectations because they’re expected to win, they’re brilliant at home, but they’ve got doubts over their team and question marks over their captain’s fitness. It's not unreasonable in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it’s a fact – it is likely the worst Australian team since 2010. Meanwhile, it's the strongest English team in over a decade. So those things point towards the fact that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Comparison to Historic Series

"Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that it was clear who would open the innings, who would bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It closely resembles a comparable scenario to 2010-11 when England traveled and emerged victorious. The fact of the matter is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England have to be very good. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and Australia have a decent chance of being bad."

Team Decision for England

A major issue for England remains their selection at the number three position, with Ollie Pope and Bethell vying for the role. Alastair Cook, whose prolific scoring paved the way for the tourists’ series win over a decade past, thinks it would be "unusual" for Ben Stokes’ side to abandon Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at first drop for the last three years.

"I'd select Pope at three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward choice. You’ve got someone who’s been involved in this preparation for several years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered some extraordinary innings for the national side and he’s a hundred-maker. He knows how to score hundreds in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I believe that changes the whole dynamic of what they’ve built up over the last few years."

Although praising Jacob Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook added: "It would represent a big, big gamble [to pick him] because if that doesn’t work what is the fallback option, someone you’ve just got rid of? They’ve invested so much in people like Ollie Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would seem such a strange thing to change it now."

Captaincy Change and Commentary Team

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 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. That will just relieve Pope. I don’t think weaken his position. I’m sure it will have disappointed him because anytime you get taken off a leadership role it isn't perfect, but I doubt it diminishes his standing."

Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the Ashes, and will be accompanied by fellow Ashes winners Finn and Graeme Swann as in-studio analysts. The network will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with commentators Eykyn and Rob Hatch based remotely in the United Kingdom, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from on location. Rainford-Brent is also part of the broadcast team working off-site, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Ives.