The Australian Team Labelled as Weakest After 2010 by Former English Player Broad
Former English bowler Broad has claimed the Australian team have their "worst" team since 2010 ahead of the upcoming Ashes.
The bowler's comments came in response to predictions by former Australian batsman David Warner suggesting the English would lose the series down under 4-0.
England's last triumph on Australian soil occurred during the 2010-11 tour, when Broad featured in a squad which won by three matches to one to retain the urn.
However, they have suffered heavy defeats of whitewashes and clean sweeps during three trips to Australia since.
"It's very, very difficult to win in Australia for the English team, or any visiting team - it just is," the former cricketer commented.
"The hosts have to be massive frontrunners. The key issue was actually 'Who is facing greater expectations?' Well, Australia are under significant expectations because they're expected to win. They're brilliant at home."
"But there are question marks regarding their team plus question marks about skipper Pat Cummins' physical condition."
Retirement and Current Analysis
The bowler ended his career from playing after the Test series in England in 2023, when the Australians kept the trophy with a 2-2 draw.
He added: "It wouldn't be outlandish to believe - it's actually not just a view, it's factual - this is likely the worst Australian squad since 2010 where the English last won, and it's the strongest English team after 2010."
"So those things match up to the fact this will be an exciting Test contest."
Team Concerns and Fitness Problems
The opening match starts at the Perth stadium this November, while the host team's preparations have been hit by the possible unavailability of captain Cummins, and he has not played since July due to a back injury in his back.
The fast bowler continues his rehabilitation from the injury and has said he's "less likely than likely" to feature in the opener.
If he misses out would leave the team relying on a bowling attack featuring Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Boland, who are all aged in their thirties, with their other seamers lacking experience and unproven in international cricket.
Fixture Demands and Past Comparison
The packed Test series calendar - five Tests in seven weeks - also means each team will be tested by injuries.
"Australia were very stable over many years so that you just knew who would open the innings, who was going to bat in which position, which bowlers there were - but now they lack that," said Broad.
"It's quite comparable to 2010-2011 where England triumphed there."
"The reality of the matter Australia typically have to be bad to lose in Australia while the visitors have to be very good."
"The English team have a great chance of being very good and Australia could potentially end up bad."
"I don't think anyone could argue that this is their weakest team since 2010... it's just a fact."
