Carey Dismisses Broad Ahead of 21 November Ashes

Former England paceman Stuart Broad said on his podcast the tourists will face "probably the worst Australian team since 2010," prompting pre-series rhetoric. Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey shrugged off the jibe, saying "we'll wait and see," and pointed to an experienced side that recently won the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes. The Ashes begin in Perth on 21 November; Australia will be without injured captain Pat Cummins with Steve Smith to lead in his absence, and Scott Boland is likely to be considered for the Perth attack. England have opted for a shortened red-ball build-up — a single three-day warm-up against an England Lions side — a strategy defended by assistant coach Marcus Trescothick. Pundits and former players, including David Warner's 4-0 prediction, have intensified the verbal sparring ahead of what both sides expect will be a tough contest in Australian conditions.