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The war of words before the Ashes is escalating further, with former England paceman Stuart Broad declaring that the English side will face "probably the worst Aussie squad in over a decade" during their tour this season.

Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Skepticism

Broad's assertion came as a reply to David Warner – an Ashes foe of Broad’s – predicting a clean sweep for the hosts. "Should the skipper [Pat Cummins] be absent, they could perhaps snatch a single victory," Warner said.

The Aussies remain undefeated in a men’s Ashes match at home after England's series win in 2010-11. Their 5-0 win three years later – following seven losses in their last nine matches – was followed by 4-0 series victories in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Team Doubt and Injury Worries for the Hosts

However, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have lost only one of their last thirteen series, approach the forthcoming contest with questions over the composition of their top order and the fitness of Cummins, who is unlikely to feature in the first Test 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."

"Australia are under the most pressure because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their team and concerns over their captain’s fitness. You wouldn’t be outlandish in believing – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it is likely the weakest Aussie lineup since 2010. And it’s the best England squad since 2010. So those things match up to the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Parallel to Historic Series

"Australia have been highly stable for a prolonged duration that you just knew who would open the batting, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It closely resembles a similar situation to the 2010-11 period 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 being very good and the Australians face a real possibility of underperforming."

Team Dilemma for England

A key question for the English camp remains their selection at the number three position, with Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell contesting the spot. Cook, whose prolific scoring paved the way for the tourists’ series win 15 years ago, believes it would be "unusual" for Stokes' team to abandon Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at number three for the last three years.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward choice. They have a player who has been part of this buildup for several years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered remarkable performances for England and he’s a hundred-maker. He understands how to make big scores in the domestic game. If they drop him now, I believe that changes the whole dynamic of what they’ve built up over the last few years."

While hailing 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 have committed heavily in people like Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would be such a strange thing to change it now."

Leadership Change and Broadcast Crew

Ollie Pope has been succeeded by Brook as the team's deputy skipper but, as per Cook, that will "take the pressure off" the Surrey right-hander.

"The management has acted decisively on that, thinking if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they have a player in Brook who has led the ODI team and it's evident that he appears a natural fit. This will take the pressure off. I believe it won't undermine him. Certainly it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership role it isn't perfect, but I doubt it undermines him."

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 Graeme Swann as in-studio analysts. The network will offer a dedicated commentary stream but will operate a hybrid model, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Hatch to work off-site in the UK, 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 live presentation to be hosted by Ives.