Retired England fast bowler Stuart Broad says Australian top three too shaky ahead of Ashes

Retired England fast bowler and long-time Ashes villain Stuart Broad has fired an early shot ahead of this summer’s showdown, declaring the Australian top order the “most muddled” he’s ever seen.

Broad, who ended his illustrious 167-Test career in the final game of the 2023 Ashes in England, declared veteran opener Usman Khawaja was “struggling” and Cameron Green, who peeled off a second-innings half-century in Grenada against the West Indies, wasn’t a No.3.

In a scathing take-down of the batting line-up that coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins have both backed in despite mixed returns in first the World Test Championship and then the opening two Tests in the West Indies, Broad said Marnus Labuschagne should return.

Australian batting coach Michael de Venuto said patience was required with teen opener Sam Konstas, who is yet to reach 30 in four innings back at the top, and the rejigged top three, with Green replacing Labuschagne.

But Broad said relying on Steve Smith at four and Travis Head at five could be problematic.

“I’m not out of place in thinking it’s the most muddled top three in my lifetime. I’ve grown up with Hayden, Langer and Ponting,” Broad said.

“But I think Usman is struggling. Cameron Green at three … he’s a six, isn’t he? Or a five. Anyone who used to take off stump guard would really excite me as an opening bowler because they play at fifth stump and don’t know where their off stump is.

“Ultimately with Labuschagne, I know he’s struggled for a couple of years, but he’s a good player, so I’d be surprised if he doesn’t come back into the frame at some stage.

“Konstas is young and learning his way, those pitches in the Caribbean have been quite tricky, so I imagine he’ll get a run (in the Ashes).

“I watched him net before the World Test Championship at Lord’s and even though he didn’t play, the crunch off the bat that you hear (was impressive), but he’s got a couple of low scores and you start to question yourself a little bit. But I think he (Konstas) is there to stay.”

Broad told The Grade Cricketer that the top three needed to protect Smith and Head more and he’d be installing reliable batters to see off the opening bowlers.

“I can’t see this being the same top three for the Ashes. I’m trying not to look that far ahead, particularly with English cricket, but the Aussie selectors generally get it right and they can’t be watching the top three currently in the Caribbean going, ‘That top three is amazing’,” Broad said.

“They need to find a way to protect Smith and Head at four and five who are unbelievable and Carey is playing great at seven.

“You can’t have Steve Smith in so early every game. One of Australia’s greatest strengths is when ‘Smudger’ arrives with a 35-over old ball and it’s doing nothing … so they need to find a way to do that.”

The Ashes will begin in Perth on November 21.