The 2025/26 Ashes series may have been decided in record time, but the war of words is only just heating up. Shortly after Australia secured a dominant 3-0 series lead in Adelaide on Sunday, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head served up a cold dish of “receipts” to former England pacer Stuart Broad, whose pre-series claims about the quality of this Australian squad have aged like milk.
The controversy dates back to October 2025, when Broad made headlines during an episode of his For The Love of Cricket podcast. Broad boldly asserted that Pat Cummins’ side was “probably the worst Australian team since 2010”—the last time England won a series on Australian soil.
Broad didn’t stop there, claiming it was “not an opinion, it’s a fact” and that the current England squad under Ben Stokes was the strongest they had fielded in 15 years.
Marnus Labuschagne hits back after Australia claim the urn
The “fact” proved to be anything but, as Australia retained the urn in just 11 days of cricket, winning the first three Tests in clinical fashion. Speaking to ABC Radio moments after taking the match-winning catch in Adelaide, Labuschagne was quick to remind Broad of his words.
“Have to say, being called the worst Australian team in 15 years… it’s nice to be sitting where we are now, three-nil up,” Labuschagne quipped.
“The job’s not done yet. We want to make sure it’s 5-0 and really take that urn,” added Labuschagne.
While Labuschagne’s bat was relatively quiet in the third Test (scoring 19 and 13), his contribution in the field was undeniable. He pulled off two stunning, one-handed screamers at second slip—including the final wicket of Josh Tongue—to seal the 82-run victory.
Also READ: England captain Ben Stokes opens up on another Ashes series defeat in Australia
Travis Head joins the party to troll Broad
The celebrations moved from the pitch to social media, where Adelaide’s own local hero, Head, delivered the knockout blow. Head, who has been the thorn in England’s side with centuries in Perth and Adelaide, posted an Instagram story featuring himself and Cummins sharing a drink.
The caption? A pointed “Is it 2010 yet?” accompanied by laughing emojis—a direct reference to the year Broad cited as the benchmark for Australian mediocrity.
The Australian team also debuted a new look during their post-match celebrations: white T-shirts emblazoned with the word ‘Ronball’ and a cartoon of head coach Andrew ‘Ronnie’ McDonald. It was a cheeky jab at the ‘Bazball’ hype that has surrounded the England camp for years, suggesting that Australia’s more traditional (but relentless) approach had thoroughly dismantled the English revolution.
Also READ: Fans go berserk as Australia retain the Ashes with a 3-0 lead at the Adelaide Oval
