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The pre-Ashes verbal sparring continues to heat up, with ex-England paceman Broad stating that England will confront "probably the worst Australian team in over a decade" during their tour this winter.

David Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Skepticism

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

The Aussies remain undefeated in a men’s Ashes match at home after England's series win in 2010-11. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash three years later – on the back of seven defeats in their last nine matches – came before 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Team Uncertainty and Fitness Concerns for Australia

Yet, the top-ranked Test team, who have suffered just a single defeat 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 doubtful to play in the first Test at the Perth stadium because of a back issue.

"It's extremely challenging to triumph on Australian soil as an English team, or any visiting team," 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 brilliant at home, but they’ve got doubts 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’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best England squad since 2010. These factors point towards the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Comparison to 2010-11 Series

"The Australians have remained highly stable for a long period of time that you just knew who would open the innings, 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 traveled and emerged victorious. The fact of the matter is the Aussies typically need to underperform to be defeated at home and England must excel. The English have a solid opportunity of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of underperforming."

Team Dilemma for the Visitors

A key question for the English camp remains their selection at No 3, with Pope and Jacob Bethell contesting the spot. Cook, whose prolific scoring set up the visitors' series victory over a decade past, believes it would be "unusual" for Stokes' team to move away from Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at number three for the last three years.

"I'd select Ollie Pope at number three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward decision. You’ve got someone who’s been involved in this preparation for several years. He has led the team, he’s played some extraordinary innings for England and he scores centuries. He understands how to score hundreds in first-class cricket. If you get rid of him now, I think that alters the entire balance of what they’ve built up over the recent years."

Although praising Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook added: "It would be 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 players such as Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would seem highly odd to make a switch at this stage."

Captaincy Shift and Commentary Crew

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

"They’ve been proactive on that, considering if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they have a player in Harry Brook who has led the ODI team and everyone has seen that he appears well suited to it. That will just 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 Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the Ashes, and will be accompanied by former Ashes champions Finn and Graeme Swann as in-studio analysts. The channel will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Eykyn and Hatch to work off-site in the UK, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from Australia. Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team working off-site, with the live presentation to be presented by Becky Ives.