The Ashes: James Anderson says Australia are favorites despite having ‘weakest’ team in 15 years

The first Test begins in Perth on Friday, November 21 and Australia will be led by Steve Smith in the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins.

Fast bowler Cummins says he is “on his way” to recover from a lower back injury in time to play the second Test, a day-night fixture in Brisbane starting on December 4.

Australia also have uncertainty over who will bat in the top three.

Usman Khawaja is set to open the match, but the hosts must decide between giving a debut to opener Jake Weatherald, recalling the in-form Marnus Labuschagne as either an opener or at number three, and whether to stick with all-rounder Cameron Green at number three or move him down the pecking order.

Anderson said these issues, compared to how consistent Australia’s selection has been in the past 10 years, meant this was “probably the weakest team” since the 2010-11 season.

He added: “There are definitely question marks there, and there are cracks that England can expose.” “There is a great opportunity for England to climb to the top early.”

However, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker said there was still a lot of “quality” in Australia’s batting and bowling – even with the “huge” absence of Cummins.

“They might be overtaking England in terms of being favourites, but I don’t think there’s much to it. It’s hard to describe, so I would just say Australia,” he said.