As England prepares to face Australia in the highly anticipated Ashes series, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has highlighted the pivotal importance of the first two Test matches. Speaking on the ‘Odds Law’ podcast, Broad stressed that England must assert their dominance early in the series to avoid another disappointing outcome Down Under. England’s last Ashes victory in Australia dates back to 2011, with Australia securing clean sweeps in their last three home series. Traditionally, the Ashes opener has been held at The Gabba in Brisbane, a venue where England last triumphed in 1986. However, this year’s series will kick off in Perth, a change Broad views as a slight advantage for England. ‘England have to win the first Test to stand a chance of winning the Ashes,’ Broad asserted. ‘If England don’t get anything out of the first two, then that’s a major problem because in Australia, the energy, the flow of the whole country will build up, and then you’re fighting a bit of a losing battle.’ England’s squad boasts one of their fastest bowling lineups in years, featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse, with captain Ben Stokes also expected to contribute with the ball. While Wood and Archer are expected to lead the attack, Broad singled out Atkinson as a potential key player. ‘Gus could be the one who becomes a mainstay of the attack,’ Broad said. ‘He could do really nicely in Australia and be that consistent bowler that Stokes can lean on to bowl a lot of overs.’ The first Test begins on Friday, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested series.