As the 2025 Ashes series draws near, the barbs between England and Australia continue to intensify, with Stuart Broad weighing in with his thoughts on the Australian team. Broad, who is known for his fierce rivalry with Australia, boldly claimed that England would be facing “probably the worst Australian team since 2010” when they tour this winter. His comments were a direct response to Australian opener David Warner’s prediction of a 4-0 victory for the hosts.
Broad’s criticism comes as Australia faces some uncertainty regarding their lineup. While they have dominated Ashes contests on home soil for over a decade, the current Australian squad enters the series with several question marks over key players. The fitness of captain Pat Cummins is a major concern, as he is expected to miss the first Test due to a back injury. Broad, reflecting on Australia’s recent dominance, acknowledged their historic strength at home but also pointed to their current vulnerability, particularly with an unsettled top order and uncertainty surrounding their leadership.
Despite these challenges, Broad acknowledged that it remains extremely difficult for any team to win in Australia, given the high expectations and pressure on the hosts. However, he believes that Australia’s current position, with their traditional strength now in question, gives England a unique opportunity. “England have a great chance of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of being bad,” he remarked on his podcast.
The question for England lies in their selection for the No. 3 spot, with Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell both vying for the role. Alastair Cook, England’s former captain and one of the most prolific run-scorers in Ashes history, has weighed in, backing Pope to retain his place in the middle order. Cook, who played a pivotal role in England’s last Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11, argued that it would be a “strange” decision to move away from Pope now, especially given his consistent performances in the lead-up to the series.
In contrast, Cook acknowledged the potential of Bethell but warned that picking him for such a high-stakes role could be a big gamble. “If that doesn’t work, where do you move back to?” Cook mused, emphasizing the importance of consistency in the lineup. Meanwhile, Pope’s demotion from vice-captain to a regular member of the squad is unlikely to affect his performance, with Cook confident that the shift will take some of the pressure off him.
As England prepares to face Australia in what promises to be a highly competitive series, the selection decisions and the fitness of key players on both sides will be crucial in determining the outcome of the 2025 Ashes.
