Cook Backs Stokes-Led England to End Ashes Drought in Australia

England have not won an Ashes Test in Australia for nearly 15 years, but former captain Alastair Cook believes their explosive batting lineup could make the difference when the series begins in Perth next month.

The 2010–11 Ashes remains England’s last triumph Down Under — a 3-1 victory in which Cook amassed a remarkable 766 runs, including three centuries. Since then, Australia have dominated on home soil, recording series wins of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0.

Optimism is building, however, that captain Ben Stokes can inspire a turnaround against an Australia side labelled the weakest since 2010 by former England bowler Stuart Broad.

“We’d be naive to say Australia aren’t favourites,” Cook, 40, told reporters on Tuesday at The Oval during TNT Sports’ launch of its Ashes coverage. “But with the way this England side plays, you think they’ve got a really good chance. Look at that top seven — on their day, they can score at a tempo that knocks Australia off their lines and lengths.”

Cook said England’s aggressive batting approach could prove decisive, especially given Australia’s reshuffled top order following David Warner’s retirement.

“Everyone who plays England knows that if you’re not on it every minute, they can change a game in an hour or two,” he added.

While opener Zak Crawley’s Test average of 31 remains modest, Cook believes his partnership with Ben Duckett provides England with a platform to dictate matches — and perhaps, finally, to end their long wait for an Ashes win on Australian soil.