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The war of words before the Ashes continues to heat up, with former England paceman Stuart Broad stating that the English side will face "arguably the weakest Aussie squad since 2010" during their tour this season.

Warner's Confident Forecast Answered by Doubt

Broad's assertion came as a reply to David Warner – a long-time Ashes rival – predicting a 4-0 victory 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 the 2010-11 tour. The subsequent 5-0 whitewash three years later – following seven losses in their last nine matches – was followed by 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Squad Doubt and Injury Worries for the Hosts

However, the top-ranked Test side, who have lost only one of their last thirteen series, approach the forthcoming contest with questions over the makeup of their top order and the health of Pat Cummins, who is unlikely to feature 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 during his podcast. "The Australians are strong favorites."

"The Aussies face the most pressure because they’re expected to win, they’re brilliant at home, but they’ve got doubts over their squad and question marks over their captain’s fitness. It's not unreasonable in believing – this isn't merely a view, it's a reality – it is likely the weakest Aussie lineup since the 2010 era. And it’s the best English team in over a decade. So those things match up to the fact that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Parallel to Historic Series

"Australia have been so consistent for a prolonged duration that you just knew who would open the innings, who would bat, what bowlers there were, and they lack that certainty now. It’s very much a comparable scenario to the 2010-11 period when England went and won there. The reality is the Aussies typically need to underperform to be defeated at home and England have to be very good. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and the Australians face a real possibility of being bad."

Team Dilemma for the Visitors

A major issue for England remains their selection at No 3, with Pope and Jacob Bethell vying for the role. Cook, whose 766 runs paved the way for the visitors' series victory 15 years ago, believes it would be "strange" for Stokes' team to move away from Pope, who has been a consistent at first drop for the past three seasons.

"I would bat Ollie Pope at number three," Cook stated. "In my view it’s a straightforward decision. They have a player who has been part of this buildup for several years. He has led the team, he’s played some extraordinary innings for England and he scores centuries. He understands how to make big scores in first-class cricket. If you get rid of him now, I think that alters the entire balance of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

Although praising Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook said: "It would represent a major risk [to pick him] because should it fail where do you move back to, a player you recently discarded? They have committed heavily in people like Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would be such a strange thing to make a switch at this stage."

Leadership Change and Commentary Crew

Ollie Pope has been succeeded by Brook as England’s vice-captain but, as per Cook, that will "ease the burden on" the Surrey batsman.

"They’ve been proactive on that, thinking in case of an injury to Stokes, they have a player in Harry Brook who has taken the [captaincy of the] one-day side and everyone has seen that he appears a natural fit. This will relieve Pope. I believe it won't undermine him. I’m sure it will have disappointed him because anytime you get taken off a leadership role it isn't perfect, but I don’t think it diminishes his standing."

Alastair Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the series, and will be accompanied by former Ashes champions Finn and Swann as on-the-ground pundits. The channel will offer a dedicated commentary stream but will use a mixed approach, with commentators Eykyn and Rob Hatch to work off-site in the United Kingdom, while Cook, Finn and Swann provide co-commentary from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the broadcast team operating remotely, with the on-ground coverage to be presented by Becky Ives.