The Ashes: Advantage England as problems mount for 'worst Australia team since 2010'?

Usually it's England with the big questions ahead of an away Ashes series.

Will the batting prove too brittle? Will there be enough venom in the bowling attack? Will they avoid Australia legend Glenn McGrath's prediction of a 5-0 (always 5-0) defeat?

Over the last three trips, the batting has proved too brittle and the bowling has lacked venom but England have only suffered one 5-0 loss in that time, in 2013/14 - 'escaping' with marginally more palatable 4-0 drubbings in 2017/18 and 2021/22.

Draws in Melbourne eight years ago, when Sir Alastair Cook scored a double ton on the most benign of pitches, and in Sydney a little over four years back, when last-wicket pair Stuart Broad and James Anderson saw off the final two overs, prevented 5-0 sweeps.

Those respective stalemates at the MCG and SCG felt like minor wins at the time for England but this time the only win that will do is a first series victory in these parts since Sir Andrew Strauss' Class of 2010/11 - because it feels eminently possible.