The China Mail - England great Anderson says 'weak' Australia still Ashes favourites

Broad, now making a career as a television pundit, reckons the current Australia side is their worst since the 2010/11 series which England won 3-1.

That was England's last Ashes series success in Australia and their recent record 'Down Under' is woeful, with 13 defeats and two draws in 15 Tests.

But they have fresh hope ahead of next week's series opener in Perth, with Australia captain and key paceman Pat Cummins sidelined by injury and doubts surrounding the hosts' top-order batting.

Anderson, whose 704 Test wickets make him England's leading bowler in the format, told TNT Sports: "Australia have been so strong and so consistent in their team selection over the last 10 years, that this probably is their weakest team (in the last 15 years).

"There are doubts around who's going to bat in the top three, Pat Cummins missing is huge. There are question marks there, definitely, and there are cracks that England could potentially expose. There's a great chance for England to get on top early."

But paceman Anderson, effectively forced into Test retirement by England management last year although he's still playing for county side Lancashire, said: "I don't think England are quite favourites, I'd say Australia are still favourites, in Australia.

"There's still a lot of quality in their batting line-up, there's still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing."

Anderson, a central figure in England's 2010/11 triumph, with 24 wickets at an average of 26.04, added: "So I think they probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don't think there's much in it. It's a tough one to call, so I'd say Australia, just."

A.Kwok--ThChM