Broad: ‘Worst Australia side in over a decade’ faces pressure ahead of Ashes

Australia will head into the upcoming Ashes series under mounting scrutiny, with former England bowler Stuart Broad suggesting the hosts are fielding their weakest team in more than a decade.

England last lifted the Ashes in 2015 and have not won a series in Australia since 2010–11, when they triumphed 3-1. Since then, Australia have dominated on home soil, claiming three successive series by margins of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0.

Despite being favourites again this time, Australia’s preparations have been disrupted by captain Pat Cummins admitting he is “more likely than not” to miss the opening Test in Perth next month.

“It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia — for England or for any side,” Broad said on his For The Love Of Cricket podcast, released on Tuesday. “Australia have to be massive favourites.

“The real question is, which team is under the most pressure? 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 over the captain’s fitness.

“It’s not just opinion — it’s fact. It’s probably the weakest Australian team since 2010, when England last won there, and it’s the best English team since then. Those things make for what should be a brilliant Ashes series.”

Broad, who retired following the 2023 Ashes in England, when the series ended 2–2 and Australia retained the urn, pointed to instability in the home side’s lineup as another factor that could tilt the balance.

“Australia have been so consistent for a long time,” said Broad, a perennial pantomime villain for Australian fans since refusing to walk after edging a ball to slip at Trent Bridge in 2013.

“You used to know exactly who would open, who would bat where, and which bowlers they’d pick — but they don’t have that certainty anymore. It’s similar to 2010–11, when England went there and won.

“The fact is, Australia generally have to be bad to lose at home, and England have to be very good. England have a great chance of being very good, and Australia have a decent chance of being bad.”