The Ashes 2017-18: Australia’s batting line-up their worst-ever, insists England legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham
Beefy also described the Aussies' bowlers as "crucial", with Pat Cummins never having played a single Test on home soil
AUSTRALIA'S batting line-up is their worst-ever, insists England legend Sir Ian Botham.
"Beefy" reckons the hosts' top-order is the weakest he has seen in recent memory - with the Aussies relying heavily on their bowlers.
Both England and Australia have struggled to put together a strong-looking batting line-up, but Australia's looks particularly weak for this Ashes series.
In an added blow for the hosts, star opener David Warner and fellow batsman Shaun Marsh could miss the Brisbane clash through injury.
Botham said: "I think this Australian batting line-up is the worst I have ever seen in modern times.
"You have to go back to the late 70s with the Packer split to have seen a worse Australian line-up. I'm not that bothered [about them].
"Their bowlers are crucial. If they can stay fit, they will be a handful for the England batsmen, but historically they don't stay fit.
"Patterson is already out and Cummins is playing his first Test in Australia. I find this remarkable."
Australia are yet to lose a Test match at the Gabba since 1988... but Botham reckons that will have next-to no effect on England.
Beefy added: "My last Test hundred was on this ground against Australia.
England's Ashes Test schedule
Nov 23-27 First Test (Brisbane)
Dec 2-6 Second Test (Adelaide)
Dec 14-18 Third Test (Perth)
Dec 26-30 Fourth Test (Melbourne)
Jan 4-8 Fifth Test (Sydney)
"I really do love playing here and I think the guys will love playing here.
"If you can get an early breakthrough, you can knock three or four over quite quickly here.
"It is usually a very good cricket surface."