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The pre-Ashes verbal sparring is escalating further, with former England paceman Stuart Broad declaring that the English side will confront "probably the worst Australian team since 2010" during their tour this winter.

David Warner's Confident Forecast Answered by Skepticism

Broad's assertion was in response to 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.

Australia have not lost a men’s Ashes match at home since England’s series win in 2010-11. Their 5-0 win three years later – following seven defeats in their previous nine Tests – was followed by 4-0 series victories in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Squad Doubt and Injury Worries for Australia

Yet, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have suffered just a single defeat of their last thirteen series, enter the upcoming assignment with uncertainty over the makeup of their top order and the health of Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at Perth because of a back injury.

"It’s very, very difficult to triumph on Australian soil as an English team, or any side," Broad remarked during his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"Australia are under the most pressure because they’re expected to win, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their squad and concerns over their skipper's condition. It's not unreasonable in believing – it’s actually not an opinion, it's a reality – it is likely the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best England squad since 2010. These factors point towards the fact that it’s going to be a thrilling contest."

Parallel to 2010-11 Tour

"The Australians have remained so consistent for a prolonged duration that it was clear who would open the innings, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It’s very much a comparable scenario to 2010-11 when England traveled and emerged victorious. The reality is the Aussies typically need to underperform to be defeated at home and England must excel. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and the Australians face a real possibility of being bad."

Selection Decision for the Visitors

A major issue for England remains their selection at the number three position, with Pope and Jacob Bethell contesting the spot. Cook, whose 766 runs set up the tourists’ series win over a decade past, believes it would be "strange" for Stokes' team to abandon Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at number three for the past three seasons.

"I would bat Pope at three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward choice. You’ve got a player who has been part of this buildup for three or four years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered some extraordinary innings for England and he’s a hundred-maker. He understands how to make big scores in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I believe that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the last few years."

Although praising Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook added: "It would represent a major risk [to pick him] because if that doesn’t work what is the fallback option, a player you recently discarded? They have committed heavily in people like Ollie Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would seem highly odd to change it now."

Captaincy Shift and Broadcast Team

Pope has been replaced by Brook as England’s vice-captain but, as per Cook, that will "ease the burden on" the Surrey right-hander.

"They’ve been proactive on that, considering if there is an injury to Stokes, they have a player in Brook who has led the ODI team and everyone has seen that he seems to be a natural fit. This will take the pressure off. I believe it won't weaken his position. I’m sure it will have disappointed him because anytime you get taken off a leadership thing it wouldn’t be ideal, but I don’t think it undermines him."

Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the Ashes, and will be accompanied by former Ashes champions Steven Finn and Swann as in-studio analysts. The channel will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch based remotely in the UK, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Becky Ives.