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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with ex-England paceman Broad stating that England will face "probably the worst Australian team in over a decade" on tour this season.

Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Doubt

The former England bowler's claim came as a reply to Warner – an Ashes foe of Broad’s – forecasting a clean sweep for the home side. "If the captain [Pat Cummins] doesn’t play, they might win one game," Warner said.

The Aussies remain undefeated in a Ashes match on home soil since England’s 3-1 victory in the 2010-11 tour. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash three years later – following seven defeats in their last nine matches – came before 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Squad Uncertainty and Injury Concerns for the Hosts

However, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have suffered just a single defeat of their last thirteen series, approach the forthcoming contest with uncertainty over the makeup of their batting lineup and the fitness of Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at the Perth stadium because of a back issue.

"It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, or any visiting team," said Broad on his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"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 squad and question marks over their skipper's condition. It's not unreasonable in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it is likely the worst Australian team since 2010. Meanwhile, it's the strongest English team in over a decade. These factors match up to the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Parallel to 2010-11 Tour

"Australia have been so consistent for a prolonged duration that it was clear who would open the innings, 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 Australia generally have to be bad to be defeated at home and England have to be very good. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and the Australians face a real possibility of underperforming."

Selection Decision 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 766 runs paved the way for the tourists’ series win over a decade past, thinks it would be "strange" for Ben Stokes’ side to abandon Pope, who has been a regular at first drop for the last three years.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at three," said Cook. "In my view it’s quite an easy choice. You’ve got someone who’s been part of this buildup for three or four years. He’s captained the side, he’s played remarkable performances for England and he’s a hundred-maker. He understands how to score hundreds in the domestic game. If they drop him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

Although praising Jacob Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook added: "It would represent a major risk [to pick him] because should it fail what is the fallback option, a player you recently discarded? They have committed heavily in players such as Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would be such a strange thing to change it now."

Leadership Change and Broadcast Team

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.

"They’ve been proactive on that, thinking in case of an injury to Stokes, they have a player in Harry Brook who has taken the [captaincy of the] one-day side and it's evident that he appears a natural fit. That will just relieve Pope. I believe it won't undermine him. I’m sure it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership role it isn't perfect, but I doubt it diminishes his standing."

Alastair Cook will be in Australia as part of the broadcast team of the series, and will be joined by fellow Ashes winners Finn and Swann as on-the-ground pundits. The network will provide its own audio feed but will operate a hybrid model, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Hatch based remotely in the UK, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from on location. Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Becky Ives.