Stuart Broad says Australia’s Ashes team is ‘worst since 2010’

Broad retired from playing after the 2023 Ashes series in England, when Australia held on to the podium in a 2-2 draw.

“You wouldn’t be weird in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – this is probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and they’re the best English team since 2010,” he added.

“So those things dovetail with the fact that it’s going to be a great Ashes series.”

The first Test begins in Perth on November 21 and Australia’s preparations have been affected by the potential absence of skipper Cummins, who has not played since July due to a lumbar bone strain in his back.

The bowler is still recovering from the injury and said he is “less likely” to play in the opener.

His absence will leave Australia with a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, all in their mid-30s, with the other seamers inexperienced or untried at Test level.

A packed Ashes schedule – five Tests in seven weeks – also means both sides will be tested by injuries.

“Australia have been so consistent for such a long period of time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers were there – and they didn’t have that,” Broad said.

“It’s a very similar situation to the 2010-11 season when England went and won there.

“The fact of the matter is that Australia generally has to be bad to lose in Australia and England have to be very good.

“England have a good chance of being very good and Australia have a good chance of being bad.

“I don’t think anyone can argue that it’s their weakest team since 2010… it’s just a fact.”