Ashes banter begins! Stuart Broad shuts down Glenn McGrath’s 5-0 prediction with witty response | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Australia’s pace legend Glenn McGrath didn’t hold back with his trademark bold prediction for the upcoming Ashes series, forecasting a 5-0 whitewash in Australia’s favour. Speaking on BBC Radio, the former fast bowler said England would find it “pretty tough” to overcome the hosts when the series kicks off in Perth on November 21 — especially against a formidable bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon on home turf.“It’s very rare for me to make a prediction, isn’t it? And I can’t make a different one — 5-0,” McGrath said. “Plus, that track record England have had, it’d be interesting to see if they can win a Test.”McGrath’s comments quickly drew a reaction from former England pacer Stuart Broad, who took a playful jab at the Aussie great on social media.“It’s August!! At least let us land Glenn!,” Broad wrote.McGrath’s confidence stems partly from England’s recent 2-2 series draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India — a result he believes highlighted vulnerabilities in England’s batting lineup. He pointed to the clash between Australia’s pace unit and England’s top and middle order as the key contest of the series, with particular focus on Joe Root and Harry Brook.“This series will be a big one for Root. He’s never really done that well in Australia — he’s not even got a 100 over there,” McGrath said. “Brook’s the one I’ve enjoyed watching… The Australians will need to get on him pretty early.”England haven’t lifted the Ashes since 2015 and have struggled in Australia for over two decades. The last Ashes series Down Under ended 4-0 in Australia’s favour in 2021-22. Over the past 15 home Tests, Australia have lost just twice.