England coach Tim Southee disagrees with former quick bowler Stuart Broad’s suggestion that is the worst Australia staff since 2010/11.
Former paceman Broad spiced up the Ashes disagreement by hitting again at former Australian opener David Warner after he launched an early sledge on the vacationers on Monday.
Broad declared the Dishevelled Greens because the “worst” staff he is seen in over a decade and that there have been “question marks” hanging over the hosts given the circumstances surrounding captain Pat Cummins’ health.
However Southee is in little doubt about what he expects from the five-match collection, beginning in Perth subsequent month.
“I don’t think there’s ever a bad Australian cricket team,” he stated. “Our focus is firmly on what we’re making an attempt to do. I feel the standard of (England’s) aspect that is going out to Australia is good.
“It should be an absolute cracker, that series. Not only (are) English and Australian people looking forward to it, I think the whole cricket world is.”
Southee remains to be finalising his backroom function for England on the Ashes however the former New Zealand seamer is simply prone to be accessible for subsequent month’s first Check.
He took up a place as England’s quick bowling advisor in the summertime after ending an illustrious worldwide profession, one which introduced 391 wickets in 107 Checks, on the again finish of 2024.
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Joe Root speaks about his recollections of The Ashes in Australia forward of the 2025/26 collection
Southee’s ad-hoc employment with England has for now been prolonged to their white-ball tour of his native New Zealand, which will get beneath method with the primary of three T20s in Christchurch on Saturday.
England named their XI two days out, with Harry Brook again as captain after being rested for final month’s T20 collection win in Eire and Jordan Cox carded to bat at quantity seven within the order.
Brydon Carse additionally returns alongside fellow seamers Sam Curran and Luke Wooden, whereas frontline spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson might be complemented by the part-time choices of Jacob Bethell.
This weekend marks the primary time Southee has gone up in opposition to his nation however he has relished working as soon as extra alongside Brendon McCullum, his former Black Caps captain and now England head coach.
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Sky Sports activities’ James Cole discusses England’s squad forward of their Ashes collection in Australia
“It will be strange but I’m looking forward to it,” Southee replied when assessing his function within the away dressing room.
“I’ve enjoyed playing under Brendon as a player, and to be sharing a dressing room again with him in a different capacity has been really enjoyable. It was too good not to take up.”
Australia have gained each Ashes at dwelling since 2010/11.
England XI to face New Zealand: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wooden
Ashes collection in Australia 2025-26
All instances UK and Eire
- First Check: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Check (day/evening): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Check: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Check: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Floor
- Fifth Check: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Floor
