England fast bowling great James Anderson has said that Australia are the favourites to win the 2025-26 Ashes series, considering they will be hosting the marquee series. The 43-year-old former pacer, who retired in July 2024, felt that there wasn’t a lot to choose from between the teams in the upcoming series, which starts at Perth on November 21.
Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the series opener, thereby putting an enormous load on the likes of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to take 20 English wickets.
“I don’t think England are quite favourites, I’d say Australia are still favourites, in Australia. 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,” Anderson told TNT Sports.
“There are doubts around who’s going to bat in the top three. Pat Cummins missing is huge, for at least the first Test. There’s still a lot of quality in their batting lineup, there’s still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing. The likes of Steve Smith, (Usman) Khawaja, Travis Head, there’s a lot of quality there,” he added.
The Lancastrian felt that England had the chance to capitalise on a fragile-looking Australian side and take the early initiative in the series.
“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,” said Anderson.
Anderson, recently, signed a one-year extension to play for Lancashire, where he will feature in both red-ball and white-ball tournaments for the red rose county. He took 17 wickets in the county championship this year and also featured in the T20 Blast competition, as well as playing for Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
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