Ricky Ponting has played down his fellow Channel Seven commentator Stuart Broad’s claim the current Australian side is the worst since 2010.

Broad — a long-time tormentor of Australia who claimed 153 wickets over 40 Ashes Tests — grabbed headlines on his podcast last month by saying the upcoming Ashes would see England’s best team since their 3-1 series win on Australian shores 15 years ago, confront Australia’s most vulnerable over the same timeframe.

Even without injured captain Pat Cummins for at least the first game of the series in Perth on November 21, the legendary Ponting said the hosts were well placed to cover their supposed vulnerabilities.

“If Marnus is back in that side and batting at his best, Boland replaces Cummins — Boland’s record in Australia is absolutely second to n

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