England’s bowling consultant and former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee expressed disagreements with England legend Stuart Broad‘s “worst Australian team since 2010” remark aimed at the arch-rivals ahead of the away Ashes from November, saying that he does not think “there has ever been a bad Australian team”.
Stuart Broad hit back at ex-Australian opener David Warner’s “moral victory” jab at the English side ahead of the Ashes series Down Under starting from September 19, pointing out that the battle is between “the worst Australian team since 2010” and the “best England team since 2010” during his ‘Love for Cricket’ podcast.
Stuart Broad disagrees with David Warner’s statement regarding Ashes
The Ashes is far more than a five-Test showdown between Australia and England or a contest for the storied ‘urn’. It’s a fierce rivalry steeped in history, pride, and emotion. The real drama begins long before the first ball is bowled, with the war of words, playful banter, and bold predictions that ignite weeks in advance. It’s the game before the games – a clash of wit, pride, and passion that makes the Ashes one of cricket’s most captivating spectacles.
Former Australian opener David Warner kicked off the pre-Ashes banter this week, declaring that Australia’s goal is to win the series, while England will be chasing a mere ‘moral victory’ through its much-hyped Bazball style of play. Confident in his prediction, Warner tipped Australia to claim the series 4-0, noting that weather could force a draw in one match. He did, however, concede that England might snatch a single Test – but only if Australian captain Pat Cummins were sidelined by injury.
“If Cummo (Pat Cummins) is not there, I think Australia will win 3-1. If Cummo is there, it’s 4-0,” Warner said, as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think England will win the first Test if Cummo is not playing,” he noted.
Warner, known for being controversial, outspoken and aggressive on and off the field, could not help himself from taking a playful jibe at the Bazball-powered English set-up, led by skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, quipping that the Australians were after the urn, while England were chasing pride.
“The Australian way (will prevail) because we’re playing for the Ashes and they’re playing for a moral victory,” Warner said.
England’s veteran pacer Stuart Broad came up with a befitting reply, further stoking the rivalry, claiming that Australia’s current squad is ‘the weakest to wear the Baggy Green’ since the 2010–11 Ashes series.
Australia is under most pleasure- Stuart Broad
While former England pacer Stuart Broad believes that Australia are favourites to win the Ashes, which commences next month, he pointed out some areas of concern in the Pat Cummins-led side which could be exploited by Ben Stokes and Co. According to Stuart Broad, Australia are heading into the Ashes with their worst team since 2010. The cricketer-turned-commentator commented in response to former Australia opener David Warner’s prediction that England would lose the series 4-0 Down Under.
England’s last Ashes win in Australia came in 2010-11, when Stuart Broad was part of a squad that won 3-1 to retain the urn. However, in their three subsequent tours, the Three Lions have been handed heavy defeats of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0.
“It’s very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, or any side – it just is. Australia have to be massive favourites. The question really was ‘Which team’s under the most pressure?’ Well, 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 question marks over [the fitness of] captain [Pat Cummins],” Stuart Broad mentioned on the For the Love of Cricket podcast on BBC Sounds.
Australia currently have possession of the prestigious urn, having retained it during the most recent meeting between the two age-old rivals in 2023 in the United Kingdom. Incidentally, Stuart Broad retired from international cricket during this series, which ended 2-2.
“You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it’s the best English team since 2010. So those things match up to the fact it’s going to be a brilliant Ashes series,” he added.
Stuart Broad commended Australia’s consistency over the years but noted that heading into the Ashes, they have certain roles in batting and bowling which are not fixed. The 39-year-old said that Australia have to play bad cricket for them to lose at home and he feels that is pretty much possible this time around.
“Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers there were – and they don’t have that. It’s very much a similar situation to 2010-2011 when England went and won there,” Stuart Broad said.
“The fact of the matter is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia 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. I don’t think anyone could argue that it’s their weakest team since 2010 it’s just a fact,” Stuart Broad concluded.
Stuart Broad’s comment struck a nerve with the Australians, as the 2010-11 series marked the last time Australia lost an Ashes series at home. Since reclaiming the urn in England in 1989, Australia has maintained a formidable home record: 13 wins, two draws, and no defeats in Test matches.
The Aussies have held the Ashes since 2017, successfully defending the urn with victories at home and drawn series in England. The upcoming 2025-26 five-Test series is set to begin on November 21 in Perth, Western Australia, reigniting one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.
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