England faces a formidable challenge as they prepare for the Ashes series in Australia. Former bowler Stuart Broad emphasizes the importance of making a strong start to avoid continuing their struggles Down Under.
The last time England claimed the Ashes was in 2015, and they have not won a series in Australia since 2011. Australia has dominated the last three home encounters, winning each series by a significant margin: 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0.
Traditionally, the Ashes series openers take place at The Gabba in Brisbane, where England’s last victory was in 1986. However, this edition of the series will kick off in Perth, which Broad sees as a potential advantage. He stated in a recent podcast appearance, “England have to win the first Test to stand a chance of winning the Ashes.”
Broad pointed out England’s notorious record at The Gabba, making the shift to Perth a noteworthy development. He added, “I think it will all be on the first two Test matches… If England don’t get anything out of the first two, then that’s a major problem.” The momentum of the Australian team can build rapidly, and England could find themselves in a difficult position if they don’t secure early points.
The England squad features one of the fastest bowling lineups in recent years, including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse. Captain Ben Stokes is also expected to contribute with the ball. While Archer and Wood may attract the most attention for their speed, Broad highlighted Atkinson’s potential impact. Since joining England’s squad in 2024, Atkinson has taken 63 wickets in just 13 Test appearances.
Broad remarked, “He hasn’t been talked about enough because everyone’s focusing on Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Ben Stokes returning to bowling.” He believes Atkinson could play a vital role, potentially becoming a cornerstone of the bowling attack. According to Broad, “He could do really nicely in Australia and be that consistent bowler that Stokes can lean on to bowl a lot of overs.”
With his compact stride and ability to adjust his pace, Atkinson could effectively support the faster bowlers throughout the series. The anticipation builds as the first Test is set to begin on Friday, marking a critical juncture for England in their quest to reclaim the Ashes.