The buzz & craze for Ashes 2025-26 is started even when the series is scheduled from 21st November 2025 in Australia. Aussies have been quite magnificent in all the 3 departments of the game. The way Pat Cummins’ unit won BGT 2024-25 by 3-1 after losing the opening Test match showcases the never-to-say-die attitude. Stuart Broad is still quite confident that England can beat a star-studded Aussie team.
England haven’t won Ashes since 2015, the last 4 series they haven’t been able to seize key moments. Joe Root hasn’t struck a single ton in Australia despite having played 4 Ashes series. England is quite centric on the Ashes series but haven’t been able to assert their dominance.
Australia rely heavily on Steven Smith & Travis Head- Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad was having an interaction with the Daily Mail. Stuart Broad agreed to the fact that Aussies are a team to beat but he wasn’t shy on giving an edge to England. Stuart Broad pointed out that Australia have got many aging players in the squad and also their top order is quite weak. Stuart Broad was quite optimistic that England could repeat the feat of 2010-11 Ashes which England won by 3-1.
“Genuinely, I feel like we could go to Australia with a chance. Yes, Australia are the best Test team in the world, unbelievable in their own conditions, but they’re ageing in their bowling group of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Nathan Lyon, and there is inexperience in their batting, with Sam Konstas potentially at the top,” said Stuart Broad.
“They rely heavily on Steven Smith and Travis Head for runs. Marnus Labuschagne is struggling, so they’re a team that’s maybe just going over the hill, and it’s a great opportunity for England if the stars align. Australia are favourites, but England have as big a chance as we’ve had since 2010,” he added.
Concerns for Australia
The veteran batters Usman Khawaja & Steven Smith have been prolific over the last 4-5 years. Usman Khawaja (38), Steven Smith (35), Mitchell Starc (35), Pat Cummins (31), Josh Hazlewood (34) & Nathan Lyon (37); all these players we can say are on their last legs & back end of their career apart from Cummins.
Cricket Australia’s (CA) chief selector George Bailey has persisted with the same crop of players due to which the youngsters haven’t got a chance. Australian fans would unarguably point out that Aussies won the Test series in Sri Lanka after 2011 but those wickets weren’t fast bowling friendly.
Unquestionably, the likes of Josh Inglis showed potential against Sri Lanka Tests but he needs to get a long run in Test side. The current Australian side shows glimpses of Ricky Ponting’s side who used to be fearless & dominant. With another ICC WTC 2023-25 final loading for Aussies against South Africa on 11th June at Lord’s, the expectations are going to keep on rising & it’s time for George Bailey to develop a strong bench strength.