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The pre-Ashes verbal sparring is escalating further, with ex-England paceman Stuart Broad declaring that the English side will face "probably the worst Australian team in over a decade" on tour this season.

David Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Doubt

Broad's assertion was in response to Warner – a long-time Ashes rival – forecasting a clean sweep for the hosts. "If the captain [Pat Cummins] doesn’t play, they might win one game," Warner said.

Australia have not lost a men’s Ashes match at home since England’s 3-1 victory in the 2010-11 tour. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash in the following series – on the back of seven losses in their previous nine Tests – came before 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Team Doubt and Fitness Concerns for Australia

Yet, the No 1-ranked Test side, who have lost only one of their past 13 bilateral series, enter the upcoming assignment with questions over the composition of their batting lineup and the fitness of Pat Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the opening match at the Perth stadium because of a back issue.

"It’s very, very difficult to triumph on Australian soil as an English team, or any visiting team," said Broad on his podcast. "Australia have to be strong favorites."

"The Aussies face the greatest expectations because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got doubts over their team and concerns over their captain’s fitness. You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it’s a fact – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best England squad since 2010. So those things match up to the fact that it’s going to be a thrilling contest."

Comparison to Historic Tour

"Australia have been so consistent for a prolonged duration that it was clear who would open the innings, who would bat, what bowlers there were, and they lack that certainty now. It closely resembles a comparable scenario to the 2010-11 period when England traveled and emerged victorious. The fact of the matter is the Aussies typically need to underperform to lose in Australia and England have to be very good. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and Australia have a decent chance of underperforming."

Selection Decision for England

A major issue for England remains their choice at the number three position, with Ollie 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 abandon Pope, who has been a consistent at number three for the last three years.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at three," Cook stated. "In my view it’s a straightforward decision. They have a player who has been part of this buildup for several years. He has led the team, he’s played some extraordinary innings for England and he scores centuries. He knows how to score hundreds in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the last few years."

Although praising Jacob Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook said: "It would represent a big, big gamble [to pick him] because should it fail where do you move back to, a player you recently discarded? They’ve invested so much in players such as Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would seem highly odd to change it now."

Captaincy Change and Broadcast Crew

Ollie Pope has been succeeded by Brook as England’s vice-captain but, according to Cook, that will "take the pressure off" the Surrey batsman.

"The management has acted decisively on that, considering if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they’ve got a guy in Brook who has taken the [captaincy of the] one-day side and everyone has seen that he seems to be a natural fit. That will just take the pressure off. I believe it won't weaken his position. Certainly it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership thing it isn't perfect, but I doubt it undermines him."

Alastair Cook will be in the host nation as part of TNT’s coverage of the series, and will be joined by fellow Ashes winners Steven Finn and Swann as on-the-ground pundits. The channel will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with commentators Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch to work off-site in the United Kingdom, while the trio deliver expert analysis from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team working off-site, with the on-ground coverage to be hosted by Becky Ives.