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Broad doubles down on 'worst team' sledge as Ashes war explodes
Emily Benammar ⹠ November 12th, 2025 11:04 am
The prospect of arriving in Australia for the Ashes has not put England legend Stuart Broad off doubling down on his claim that this is the âworst Aussie team since 2010â.
Broad, who will spend the summer of cricket providing expert commentary on SENâs coverage of the five Ashes Tests, added his voice to the traditional pre-series war of the words last month with the almighty sledge.
And while he believes some may have taken the comment a little out of context, speaking to SENâs Gerard Whateley, the 39-year-old elaborated on it.
âI said a comment and I still believe that this Australian team is the worst since England won in 2010-11,â he said.
âA bit of that was taken out of context; I was talking specifically about Ashes cricket and England touring Australia.
âThis I think is the first time in a long time Australia have got question marks on their team. Theyâve named a big squad while England seem settled in the battling unit â particularly that top 7, you know whatâs coming.
âThereâs more question marks over Australia for this series than for many a year because the Aussies might not be as good as they have been and England might be better than they have been.â
The first Test gets underway in Perth next week â a blessing according to Broad who is no stranger to the hostile reception England players face when arriving to play Down Under.
Organisers shifted the opening Test away from its traditional Gabba location, which will is a God send for the visitors.
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OPENING CLASH AND ENGLAND HOPES
âI believe that England have their best chance since 2010-11 but they have to start well in Perth.
âWe donât know what the pitch will be, I donât think theyâve played a Test at this stadium.
âThe one percent is that England are not starting at the Gabba. Iâm delighted to be honest. As an England player when you arrive there, youâre walking into the Aussie backyard.
âI remember so well, I was facing a hat-trick ball from Siddle, I was sure the crowd were shouting âkill kill killâ. Iâm sure they werenât but all I could think about was the crowd.
âThe Gabba has an amazing aura and England have some scars there. They will be delighted the first Test isnât at the Gabba, they will be thrilled.â
SHORT WARM-UPS
âI trust Rob Key and Brendon McCullum. England have started series incredibly well in recent times.
âThey have won the first Test with good consistency lately and with little preparation.
âTimes have changed. I understand ex-players saying itâs not enough preparation but the time frame of fitting things in is difficult. England just had an ODI series in NZ.
âIf they came to Aus and wanted a competitive match here thereâs Sheffield Shield this week, so youâre not dragging players out of that to play England when theyâre playing for their spot in the XI.
âThe time frame of being able to get quality hard cricket in Australia is difficult, so England have taken it into their own hands and flown Lions players out to play against them.
âThose young players are giving it everything to impress, England can control this too.
âIf you play a state game Archer could bowl all day, in this case they can control what their players are doing.â
ARE AUSTRALIA VULNERABLE?
âItâs never that vulnerable when youâve got Steve Smith four and Head five. Smith is the hardest batter in the world to bowl at, so unique, so different, doesnât give you a chance.
âFor England to win this series Smith will need to average less than 40, I donât know how but somehow. Iâve sat in hours of bowling meetings on how to get him out, but no one ever really comes up with a plan.
âI wonder if England will use short pitch bowling with the extra pace â Stokes loves going to that option, it shuts players down. In Australia it could be a decent play.
âThe whole of Englandâs success with the ball relies on what they can do with the new ball â if they can take early wickets and expose those guys to new ball bowlers that could be the difference.
âExpose Smith and head to fresh bowlers with energy with a new ball, then England could do well.
âIf Khawaja and whoever opens can get off to decent starts then Smith and Head will be tough to remove
âIâve never seen this sort of debate about an Australian top three in my lifetime. Marnus Labuschagne is their best number three, heâs a brilliant player and showing amazing form, particularly in Australia he is hard to bowl at.
âWebster probably deserves to play through performance, but Green is one of the favourite players and probably wants to play on potential. England will want Green at three not Labuschagne.â
The first Test between Australia and England begins on November 21 at Optus Stadium. Catch every ball of the Ashes on the Sport Nation app via SEN.
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