Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld has declared England can win the Ashes this summer, insisting Australia’s growing injury list has blown the series wide open.
He told GB News: “Look, Australia aren’t unbeatable. Not this year. Their attack is falling apart, they’re scrambling for replacements and England are in the perfect position to take advantage.”
Blofeld, who spent decades calling cricketing battles from the commentary box, said England now have the chance to deliver a “statement first Test” that would “shake Australia to the core”.
“If England come out swinging, this could be over quicker than people think,” he added.
“Stokes has the bowlers. He has the aggression. And now, with Australia wounded, he has the opening.”
The former BBC Test Match Special icon said England should not be fazed by the Australians’ reputation for toughness, saying: “That aura isn’t what it was. Not with half their attack on the physio’s table. England must smell blood.”
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He also claimed the home crowd Down Under could play a decisive role in unsettling a depleted Australian side, adding: “These players know English crowds.
"They know the noise. Add the pressure, add the expectations, it all builds. And right now, it builds against Australia.”
Blofeld argued captain Ben Stokes’ leadership style is a key advantage and said: "Ben knows how to win ugly.
"He knows how to fight. This is exactly the sort of contest where he thrives.”
Blofeld argued that Stokes’ leadership style is a key advantage
|GB NEWS
Asked whether England truly have what it takes to reclaim the urn, Blofeld did not hesitate, commenting: “Of course they do.
"England have the talent, the conditions and now, the luck. The door is open. They must walk through it.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins and seamer Josh Hazlewood have both been ruled out of Friday’s first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium — Cummins with a back problem and Hazlewood sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Their expected replacements are veteran Scott Boland and uncapped paceman Brendan Doggett, while Michael Neser has been drafted into the squad following Hazlewood’s late withdrawal.
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Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s famed “big three” alongside Cummins and Hazlewood, will now shoulder senior responsibility in the attack with spinner Nathan Lyon.
All-rounder Cameron Green is the only member of the squad under 30, leaving Australia heavily reliant on experience as they head into the opener.
The Ashes gets underway overnight with the opening Test in Perth, before the series moves through Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, culminating in a final clash in Sydney in the new year.
UK viewers can watch every ball live on TNT Sports.
The first Test begins at 2.30am UK time on Friday, with live build-up on TNT Sports 1 from 1.30am.
England have touched down in Perth and Ollie Pope looks in formidable form, staking his claim in the batting order after hitting 100 and 90 in last week’s warm-up against the England Lions.
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