Australia’s stranglehold over the Ashes at home makes it difficult to see them as anything but favourites, even if England have openings they can target, veteran pacer James Anderson said. England haven’t lifted the Ashes since 2015 and haven’t won a series in Australia since 2011, suffering bruising defeats on their last three tours, 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0.

"I just think that 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)," Anderson told TNT Sports.

"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."

Australia suffered a significant setback in the build-up to the se

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