Australia secured the Ashes urn in just 11 days of cricket.
Former England pacer Stuart Broad has doubled down on his “worst Australian side since 2010” remark despite the Ben Stokes-led side conceding the Ashes urn with 82-run defeat at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday (December 21).
The Three Lions arrived in Australia bullish that they could win a series in the country for the first time since 2010-11. But their hopes imploded with heavy eight-wicket defeats each in Perth and Brisbane before a closer contest in Adelaide, leaving the ultra-aggressive "Bazball" style of cricket in tatters.
Ever since the hosts secured the Ashes urn in just 11 days, Broad is being trolled for his comment about the Pat Cummins-led side. Before the series got underway, he called the current Australian lineup the “worst since 2010”.
This remark was mocked by Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head post the Adelaide win. However, Broad said he has no “regrets” about his earlier assessment.
“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. There are a lot of things that have gone England’s way [in terms of injury and illness suffered by Australian players]. England haven’t been good enough ultimately. Australia have been relentless in what they’ve done. They’ve showed age is just a number," he added.
Australia might have sealed the Ashes, but Broad opined that the current lineup pales in comparison to the 2013-14 side, which was led by Michael Clarke.
“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," Broad stated.
“England losing 3-0 by the third Test is not something new. I don’t disagree with my comment. England have been at 20 per cent of their ability," he remarked.
England will look to salvage some pride in the remaining two Tests at Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 4-8).