The Ashes rivalry has officially intensified with former Australian opener David Warner taking aim at England’s ‘Bazball’ approach. Warner has confidently stated that the visiting team’s aggressive style of play will not be enough to secure an Ashes victory, backing his home nation to hold onto the urn. During a recent cricket event, Warner was asked to weigh in on the upcoming Ashes series and didn’t hold back, predicting a 3-1 series win for Australia. He even suggested that this prediction might stand firm even if the team’s captain, Pat Cummins, is unavailable for the opening Test.
England’s recent history in Australia further fuels Warner’s confidence; they have not won an Ashes series there since 2015 and their last Test victory in Australia dates back to 2011. Warner encapsulated his thoughts with a provocative statement: “The Australian way because we’re playing for the Ashes and they’re playing for a moral victory.” He later upped his prediction to a comprehensive 4-0 victory, acknowledging the possibility of a drawn match. Warner also provided strategic advice, urging Australia not to provoke England captain Ben Stokes. He acknowledged Stokes’s growth as a player and leader, suggesting that confronting him directly could be counterproductive. However, Warner did express a desire for spirited on-field competition. On the selection front, Warner supported Marnus Labuschagne based on his consistent Test performance and also backed young opener Sam Konstas to keep his place, citing his promising recent century in an Australia A fixture as evidence of his potential.