Australia have 'worst team in 15 years', claims Broad

According to former England fast bowler Stuart Broad, it is a fact that the Australian team for the upcoming Ashes is their weakest since 2010.

Broad, who now works as a TV pundit, has helped crank up the "war of words" before the first Test in Perth on November 21 in response to former Australia opener David Warner predicting a 4-0 victory for the hosts.

Broad told the BBC's 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast: "You wouldn't be outlandish in thinking – it's actually not an opinion, it's a fact – it's probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it's the best English team since 2010.

"So those things match up to the fact it's going to be a brilliant Ashes series."

Broad retired as a player after the 2023 Ashes series in England when Australia kept hold of the urn after the series ended 2-2.

He was a member of the England squad when they last triumphed in Australia in 2010-2011, winning 3-1 under captain Andrew Strauss to retain the urn.

He took particular delight in any success against the Aussies, notably taking 8 wickets for 15 runs at Trent Bridge in 2015, and became a pantomime villain when refusing to walk after edging a ball to slip in 2013.

"It's very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, or any side – it just is," Broad said.

"Australia have to be massive favourites. The question really was 'which team's under the most pressure?' Well, Australia are under the most pressure because they're expected to win. They're brilliant at home.

"But they've got question marks over their team and question marks over captain (Pat Cummins)."

Cummins, sidelined since July due to lumbar bone stress in his back, has said he is "less likely than likely" to play in the opening Test.

Broad added: "Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers there were – and they don't have that.

"I don't think anyone could argue that it's their weakest team since 2010... it's just a fact."