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“I’m calling it”: Why ex-Aussie spinner is tipping England Ashes win
SENZ • November 11th, 2025 12:48 pm
Former Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe is still backing England to win the upcoming Ashes series down under.
While England haven’t won a Test in Australia, let alone a series since their 2010/11 victory, O’Keefe backs Stuart Broad that this is the worst Aussie side since that campaign.
Even though O’Keefe concedes that England were the superior side 15 years ago compared to Australia, and that may not be the case now, he simply believes that the visitors have the right side in the type of form needed to succeed in an away Ashes tour.
He explained why he thinks the Poms will ‘dust’ the Aussies 3-2, with their pace bowling attack at the tip of the spear.
“Don’t miss the mail here, I’m calling it - England 3-2,” O’Keefe said on SEN Sportsday NSW.
“I’m saying that the Aussies are going to get dusted on their home track.
“They’ve got some great quicks in Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, just to name a few.
“I just think that they are ready, they've got the right attack this time.
“They used to bring over some players, and you just never had that feeling that they were ever close or good enough.
“They were the superior team when they beat us twice before in the past. In 2010, they had the better team.
“This time, you could argue and say that they don’t, but I’m just saying it’s the right team in the right form to come over. I just think that the timing is right. It’s been 15 years since 2010.
“I think that this is their time to win under (Brendon) McCullum.”
As well as England’s express pace, O’Keefe thinks that their attacking batting line-up will put pressure on the Aussie bowling attack, particularly if pitches are flat enough for them to go hard from the outset.
“Joe Root's in the form of his life,” O’Keefe said.
“Couple that with Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.
“I think the wickets will be flatter and they are going to look to wreak havoc against this Australian attack and take them on, and I think that's what's going to put pressure on the Aussies, and ultimately I think they'll fail under that pressure.
“What they've got is repeated fast bowling options, there's no let off, and they are going to challenge this Australian team.”
The first Test between Australia and England in Perth begins on November 21 - listen to every ball on SEN, your home of cricket.
