Notably, England haven\u2019t won an Ashes series since 2015, with the 2019 and 2023 editions ending in a 2-2 draw. They haven\u2019t secured a Test victory in Australia since 2011. They last won The Ashes in the 2015 series held in England, and their last Ashes victory in Australia was the 2010-11 series, which they won 3-1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having coached India between 2017 and 2021, Shastri does know a thing or two about winning in Australia, having been the only coach to have seen India win a Test series in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"But in the long term, I think England will challenge. If you look at the last two or three series that they have come to Australia, they\u2019ve been blown away. But on this occasion, I think if their fast bowlers are fully fit for the first three Test matches, they can make inroads,\" Shastri said on SENQ Breakfast.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia enter the Ashes series without injured skipper Pat Cummins, with Steve Smith taking the captaincy. Shastri believes that it is a good opportunity for England to perform well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"And their best chance is without Cummins playing, so expect a better performance from England, but the adjustment will have to be quick,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shastri further has admitted his surprise at the non-selection of fast bowler Xavier Bartlett for Australia\u2019s 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"And their best chance is without Cummins playing, so expect a better performance from England, but the adjustment will have to be quick,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI saw the Australian 15-man squad being announced. I thought Xavier Bartlett might get a nod in the 15. Having said that, it is still a pretty good bowling attack and in Australian conditions, Perth surface, extra bounce, it will test England,\" Shastri added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n