Legendary England pacer Stuart Broad believes that the team needs to get off a strong start in the Ashes in order to have any chance of winning the five-match Test series. The Three Lions haven't won the Ashes since 2015 and have particularly struggled in Australia where they haven't won a Test match for 14 years. The Baggy Greens have dominated at home against their arch-rivals and have won the last three series by 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0 respectively.
With the first Test of the upcoming series set to take place at the Optus stadium in Perth, Broad feels that England have a good chance to win and start the series on a positive note.
"England have to win the first test to stand a chance of winning the Ashes. Our record's shocking at the Gabba. That's why it's a small advantage that the first test isn't there this time... I think it will all be on the first two test matches, if I'm honest," Broad said on the 'Odds Law' podcast.
Broad's warning for England
Broad then went on to warn the Ben Stokes-led team and remarked that if they do not get any positive result out of the first two Tests, then their chances of winning the series will decline significantly.
"If England don't get anything out of the first two, then that's a major problem because in Australia, the energy, the flow of the whole country will build up and then you're fighting a bit of a losing battle," Broad added.
Australia missing key players for Perth Test
Meanwhile, England may fancy their chances in the first Test as Australia will be without multiple key players. Both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the Perth Test due to injuries, weakening the Australian bowling attack. Back-up pacer Sean Abbott is also not fit and won't be taking part in the series opener. On the other hand, the visitors head into the series wth their squad at full strength.
Australia's squad for The Ashes: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England's squad for The Ashes: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.