Stuart Broad has ignited the build-up to this winter’s Ashes by claiming Australia will head into the series with their weakest side in more than a decade.
The former England fast bowler believes the balance of power has shifted and that England’s current team is the best equipped since 2010 to win down under.
Broad was responding to remarks from David Warner, who boldly predicted that Australia would win the upcoming series 4-0.
England have not triumphed on Australian soil since 2010–11, when Broad was part of the side that famously claimed a 3-1 victory to retain the urn.
Since then, however, England have endured a torrid record, losing by margins of 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 in their past three tours.
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast on BBC Sounds, Broad said the current landscape gives England a rare opportunity.
“It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, or any side – it just is,” he said.
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Australia will go into this winter's Ashes series as the favourites, with England the underdogs
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“Australia have to be massive favourites. The question really was ‘Which team is under the most pressure?’ Well, Australia are under the most pressure because they’re expected to win.
“They’re brilliant at home. But they’ve got question marks over their team and question marks over the fitness of captain Pat Cummins.”
Cummins’ availability for the first Test in Perth on 21 November remains uncertain.
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Stuart Broad knows what is needed to win an Ashes series
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The Australia skipper has not played since July after suffering bone stress in his back and has admitted he is “less likely than likely” to feature in the opener.
His absence would force Australia to rely on an ageing pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, all in their mid-30s, with few younger options ready to step in.
Broad, who retired after the 2023 Ashes series in England, said the situation reminded him of the conditions that led to England’s famous win 14 years ago.
“You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it’s the best English team since 2010,” he said.
“So those things match up to the fact it’s going to be a brilliant Ashes series.”
Both sides face a demanding schedule of five Tests in seven weeks, which could make squad depth crucial.
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Broad believes Australia’s lack of consistency in selection leaves them vulnerable.
“Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers there were – and they don’t have that now,” he added.
“It’s very much a similar situation to 2010–11 when England went and won there.”
The former bowler suggested England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum gives them a genuine chance to upset Australia on home soil.
“The fact of the matter is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England have to be very good,” he concluded.
“England have a great chance of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of being bad. I don’t think anyone could argue that it’s their weakest team since 2010. It’s just a fact.”