Stuart Broad has doubled down on his take that the 2025 Australian Ashes side is the worst since 2010 despite the current 3-0 scoreline.
England has been embarrassed across the opening three matches of The Ashes, especially considering Australia hasn’t been at full strength once.
Josh Hazlewood won’t play in the series, Pat Cummins missed the opening two matches and Steve Smith was out for Adelaide with illness.
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Broad dropped the original line on his podcast For The Love of Cricket, and it was that platform where he addressed whether he was having second thoughts in the aftermath of the third Test.
“Do I regret saying that? No. I did say Australia would have to play very badly [to lose the Ashes] and England would have to play very well,” Broad said on his For The Love of Cricket podcast.
“Australia haven’t played very badly and England haven’t played very well. I had Australia down as favourites, but I didn’t have them down as 3-0 favourites.”
Broad then listed a number of supposed dilemmas around the Australian side that should have gone England’s way, including two debutants over 30 at Perth, Usman Khawaja’s Perth back spasm and the non-selection of Nathan Lyon at the Gabba.
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“England haven’t been good enough ultimately. Australia have been relentless in what they’ve done. They’ve showed age is just a number, that experience matters in Test match cricket and winning moments is absolutely crucial … Mitchell Starc has had the series of a lifetime, Travis Head has played two exceptional innings and England’s experienced players haven’t replicated that,” he said.
“Do I think the [Australian] side of 2013-14 man for man was a better side? Yes, probably still. I don’t think individually they are better than any other team since 2010-11, but they’ve been relentless in the pressure they’ve managed to put on England, as have every Australian team since 2010.
“England losing 3-0 by the third Test match is not something new. I don’t disagree with my comment. I just think Australia have been relentless and England have been at 20 per cent of their ability.”
