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The pre-Ashes verbal sparring is escalating further, with ex-England paceman Broad declaring that the English side will face "probably the worst Australian team in over a decade" during their tour this season.

Warner's Bold Prediction Answered by Skepticism

The former England bowler's claim was in response to Warner – an Ashes foe of Broad’s – predicting a 4-0 victory for the hosts. "Should the skipper [Pat Cummins] be absent, they could perhaps snatch a single victory," Warner said.

Australia have not lost a Ashes match on home soil since England’s 3-1 victory in the 2010-11 tour. Their 5-0 win three years later – following seven losses in their previous nine Tests – came before 4-0 Ashes triumphs in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Squad Doubt and Fitness Worries for the Hosts

However, the top-ranked Test team, who have suffered just a single defeat of their past 13 bilateral series, enter the upcoming assignment with questions over the composition of their top order and the fitness of Cummins, who is doubtful to play in the opening match at the Perth stadium because of a back injury.

"It's extremely challenging to win in Australia as an England side, or any visiting team," Broad remarked on his podcast. "Australia have to be massive favourites."

"The Aussies face the greatest expectations because they’re anticipated to prevail, they’re formidable in home conditions, but they’ve got question marks over their squad and question marks over their captain’s fitness. You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – this isn't merely a view, it's a reality – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010. And it’s the best England squad in over a decade. So those things point towards the reality that it’s going to be a thrilling Ashes series."

Comparison to Historic Series

"Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that it was clear who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat, which bowlers were available, and they lack that certainty now. It’s very much a similar situation to the 2010-11 period when England went and won there. The reality is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England must excel. The English have a solid opportunity of performing exceptionally and the Australians face a real possibility of being bad."

Selection Dilemma for the Visitors

A major issue for the English camp remains their choice at No 3, with Pope and Bethell contesting the spot. Cook, whose 766 runs paved the way for the visitors' series victory 15 years ago, believes it would be "unusual" for Ben Stokes’ side to move away from Pope, who has been a regular at number three for the last three years.

"I'd select Pope at number three," said Cook. "In my view it’s a straightforward choice. They have a player who has been part of this buildup for several years. He’s captained the side, he has delivered some extraordinary innings for the national side and he scores centuries. He understands how to make big scores in first-class cricket. If they drop him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of the foundation they've established over the recent years."

While hailing Bethell as "an incredibly talented player", Cook added: "It would represent a big, big gamble [to pick him] because if that doesn’t work where do you move back to, someone you’ve just got rid of? They’ve invested so much in players such as Ollie Pope and [Crawley that it would seem highly odd to make a switch at this stage."

Leadership Change and Commentary Crew

Ollie Pope has been replaced by Harry Brook as the team's deputy skipper but, according to Cook, that will "ease the burden on" the Surrey batsman.

"The management has acted decisively on that, considering in case of an injury to Stokes, they’ve got a guy in Brook who has led the ODI team and it's evident that he appears well suited to it. That will just take the pressure off. I believe it won't weaken his position. I’m sure it will have hurt him because anytime you get taken off a leadership thing it isn't perfect, but I doubt it undermines him."

Cook will be in Australia as part of TNT’s coverage of the series, and will be accompanied by former Ashes champions Steven Finn and Graeme Swann as in-studio analysts. The network will provide its own audio feed but will use a mixed approach, with play-by-play announcers Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch based remotely in the United Kingdom, while the trio deliver expert analysis from Australia. Ebony Rainford-Brent is also part of the commentary team operating remotely, with the live presentation to be presented by Ives.