England are gearing up for one of their biggest cricketing challenges — the Ashes in Australia — starting November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. As the anticipation builds, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes this could finally be the year England end their long wait for an Ashes series win Down Under.
England have not won a Test match in Australia since their historic 2010-11 triumph, when Andrew Strauss’s side reclaimed the urn with a 3-1 victory. Since then, the English team has struggled to find success on Australian soil, with their last Ashes win overall coming in 2015 at home.
However, with the emergence of their bold and attacking “Bazball” approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, Broad feels England are better placed than ever to rewrite history.
Broad Confident but Cautious About Series Start in Perth
“I believe England have their best chance since 2010-11, but they need to start well in Perth,” Broad said in an interview with SEN. “We don’t know what the pitch will be like since they haven’t played a Test there before. But the small advantage is that England aren’t starting at the Gabba — that’s a huge relief.”
Recalling the intensity of Brisbane’s Gabba crowd, Broad added with a laugh, “I remember facing a hat-trick ball from Peter Siddle, and I could’ve sworn the crowd was chanting ‘kill, kill, kill.’ I’m sure they weren’t — but that’s what it felt like! The Gabba has an amazing aura, and England carry some scars from there. They’ll be delighted to open in Perth instead.”
‘This Is Australia’s Weakest Team Since 2010-11’
Broad also revisited his earlier remarks where he called the current Australian squad “the weakest since 2010-11.” While those comments sparked a bit of controversy, the 39-year-old stood by his opinion, clarifying the context.
“I still believe this Australian team is the weakest since 2010-11, particularly when it comes to Ashes cricket,” Broad said. “For the first time in a while, Australia have genuine question marks about their squad — they’ve named a large group, and that shows uncertainty.”
He further noted that England’s setup appears more balanced and predictable. “England’s top seven looks settled and strong, whereas Australia have more variables this time. That’s why I think this series might be closer than many expect.”
A Defining Test for the Bazball Era
The upcoming Ashes series is set to be a litmus test for England’s aggressive “Bazball” strategy, which has redefined their approach to Test cricket. With confidence high and key players in form, England’s campaign in Australia promises to be one of the most closely watched contests of the season.
Whether Broad’s prediction holds true will depend on how Stokes’ men handle the heat, both on the field and from the Australian crowds, starting with that all-important first Test in Perth.