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The pre-Ashes verbal sparring is escalating further, with ex-England bowler Stuart Broad declaring that England will confront "probably the worst Australian team since 2010" on tour this season.

Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Doubt

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

The Aussies remain undefeated in a men’s Ashes match at home since England’s series win in 2010-11. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash three years later – on the back of seven defeats in their previous nine Tests – was followed by 4-0 series victories in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Squad Doubt and Injury Concerns for the Hosts

However, the top-ranked Test side, who have lost only one of their past 13 bilateral series, enter the upcoming assignment with questions over the makeup of their batting lineup and the health of Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the first Test at the Perth stadium because of a back injury.

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

"Australia are under the greatest expectations because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re brilliant at home, but they’ve got doubts over their team and concerns over their skipper's condition. You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it’s a fact – it’s probably the weakest Aussie lineup since 2010. Meanwhile, it's the strongest England squad in over a decade. So those things match up to the fact that it’s going to be a brilliant contest."

Comparison to 2010-11 Series

"The Australians have remained so consistent for a long period of time that it was clear who would open the innings, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It’s very much a similar situation to 2010-11 when England went and won there. The reality is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England must excel. England have a great chance of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of being bad."

Selection Decision for the Visitors

A key question for England remains their choice at No 3, with Pope and Jacob Bethell vying for the role. Cook, whose 766 runs set up the visitors' series victory 15 years ago, thinks it would be "unusual" for Ben Stokes’ side 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. "I think it’s quite an easy choice. You’ve got a player who has been involved in this preparation for several years. He has led the team, he’s played remarkable performances for the national side and he scores centuries. He understands how to make big scores in the domestic game. If you get rid of him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of what they’ve built up over the last few years."

Although praising Jacob Bethell as "a hugely gifted cricketer", Cook added: "It would represent a big, big gamble [to pick him] because should it fail what is the fallback option, someone you’ve just got rid of? They have committed heavily in people like Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would be such a strange thing to change it now."

Leadership 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.

"They’ve been proactive on that, considering if there is an injury to Ben Stokes, they’ve got a guy in Harry Brook who has led the ODI team and everyone has seen that he appears a natural fit. That will just take the pressure off. I don’t think undermine him. I’m sure it will have hurt him because whenever you're removed from a leadership thing it wouldn’t be ideal, but I don’t think it diminishes his standing."

Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the Ashes, and will be accompanied by fellow Ashes winners Steven Finn and Swann as in-studio analysts. The channel will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch based remotely in the United Kingdom, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the live presentation to be hosted by Becky Ives.