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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with former England bowler Broad declaring that England will face "probably the worst Aussie squad in over a decade" on tour this winter.

Warner's Bold Prediction Met With 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.

The Aussies remain undefeated in a men’s Ashes match on home soil after England's series win in the 2010-11 tour. Their 5-0 win three years later – following seven losses in their previous nine Tests – was followed by 4-0 Ashes triumphs in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Squad Doubt and Injury Concerns for Australia

Yet, the No 1-ranked Test team, who have lost only one of their last thirteen series, enter the upcoming assignment with uncertainty over the makeup of their top order and the health of Pat Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the opening match at Perth because of a back issue.

"It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia as an English team, or any visiting team," Broad remarked during his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"The Aussies face the most pressure because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their team and question marks over their skipper's condition. It's not unreasonable in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it's a reality – it is likely the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best English team in over a decade. So those things match up to the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Comparison to 2010-11 Tour

"The Australians have remained so consistent for a long period of time that you just knew who would open the innings, who would bat, what bowlers there were, and they don’t have that. It’s very much a comparable scenario to the 2010-11 period when England traveled and emerged victorious. The reality is Australia generally have to be bad to be defeated at home and England have to be very good. England have a great chance of performing exceptionally and Australia have a decent chance of underperforming."

Selection Decision for the Visitors

A major issue for the English camp remains their selection at the number three position, with Ollie Pope and Bethell contesting the spot. Cook, whose prolific scoring paved the way for the visitors' series victory over a decade past, believes it would be "strange" for Stokes' team to move away from Ollie Pope, who has been a consistent at first drop for the past three seasons.

"I would bat Pope at three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward decision. You’ve got a player who has been part of this buildup for several years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered some extraordinary innings for the national side and he scores centuries. He understands how to score hundreds in first-class cricket. If you get rid of him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

While hailing Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook said: "It would represent a big, big gamble [to pick him] because should it fail where do you move back to, someone you’ve just got rid of? They have committed heavily in players such as Pope and [Zak] Crawley that it would be highly odd to change it now."

Leadership Shift and Commentary Crew

Ollie Pope has been replaced by Brook as the team's deputy skipper but, as per Cook, that will "take the pressure off" the Surrey batsman.

"The management has acted decisively on that, considering 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. This will relieve Pope. I don’t think weaken his position. I’m sure it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership role it wouldn’t be ideal, but I doubt it diminishes his standing."

Cook will be in the host nation as part of the broadcast team of the Ashes, and will be joined by fellow Ashes winners Steven Finn and Graeme Swann as in-studio analysts. The channel will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with commentators Eykyn and Hatch to work off-site in the United Kingdom, while Cook, Finn and Swann deliver expert analysis from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the broadcast team operating remotely, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Ives.