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Stuart Broad has highlighted Gus Atkinson as a potential star of the upcoming Ashes series.
Fast-bowler Atkinson, 27, burst onto the scene in the summer of 2024 and he has since played 13 Test matches.
During that time Atkinson has taken 63 wickets at an average of just 22.01, while he averages 22.35 with the bat and has even scored a Test hundred - a record that could be crucial in a series where bowlers are expected to dominate.
Although Atkinson has only played twice in 2025 due to injury, he is set to start this week's first Test at Perth.
And Broad believes that amid the noise surrounding the hotly anticipated showdown, the Surrey star is going under the radar.
'He hasn't been talked about enough because everyone's focusing on Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Ben Stokes returning to bowling,' the legendary bowler said on the Odds Law podcast, presented by online bookmaker Fitzdares.
Stuart Broad has backed Gus Atkinson to star in this winter's Ashes series in Australia
Broad hailed the 27-year-old, who has an impressive record over his first 13 Test matches
'But I think Gus could be the one who becomes a mainstay of the attack.'
Atkinson is one of six seamers in England's squad alongside all-rounder Ben Stokes, all of which are likely to be needed given the five Test matches will be played over a seven-week period.
The 27-year-old has previously impressed overseas in both Pakistan and New Zealand, and bowler-turned-pundit Broad believes he has the skills to be a hugely reliable option for Stokes.
'He's tall, has good pace, moves the ball both ways, and can swing it away from the right-hander,' he added. 'He can also bowl to left-handers from over and around the wicket.
'He could do really nicely in Australia and be that consistent bowler that Ben Stokes can lean on to bowl a lot of overs.
'He's got a nice, short stride pattern, can go through the gears, and can play a great supporting role to the quicker bowlers who might rotate through the series.'
Broad also believes England are in a good position ahead of the series despite not winning a Test Down Under since 2011.
Their hopes at Perth will be boosted by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood being unavailable for Australia due to injury, and the location could also prove to be a factor, according to the 39-year-old.
Broad believes Atkinson has gone under the radar given the focus on Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes (both pictured above during last week's warm-up match) and Mark Wood after injury troubles
Usually the Ashes begins in Brisbane, but this year the Gabba will instead host the second Test, which is a day-nighter, and Perth kicks off the showpiece event.
'England have to win the first Test to stand a chance of winning the Ashes,' explained Broad, who has also labelled England's opponents as the 'worst Australia team' in 14 years. 'Our record's shocking at the Gabba.
'That's why it's a small advantage that the first Test isn't there this time.
'I think it will all be on the first two Test matches, if I'm honest. If England don't get anything out of the first two, then that's a major problem because in Australia, the energy, the flow of the whole country will build up and then you're fighting a bit of a losing battle.'
