Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n But with several commentary teams setting up shop at Perth Stadium this week Broad will also cross paths with old friends and rivals \u2014 including Aussie firebrand Mitchell Johnson.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s the great thing about Ashes cricket, the connection with loads of different players,\u201d he said on his For the Love of Cricket<\/a> podcast with Jos Buttler.<\/p>\n \u201cThe commentary box I\u2019m in has got Ricky Ponting, who I\u2019ve worked with at Sky and played against back in 2009 and 2010. Aaron Finch, Justin Langer, a friend of the pod, Matthew Hayden \u2014 guys I don\u2019t know really, really well but after six weeks of an Ashes series I will.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd ultimately yes I\u2019m working for Channel 7 but there\u2019s loads of other different radio and TV companies, so a lot of pundits will be around. It will all be a bit awkward, you know, if you get in a lift with Mitchell Johnson, who last time I saw he was just trying to rip my head off.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like \u2018you alright, Mitch, you getting on?\u2019 It\u2019s going to be quite a bit of that. A few awkward handshakes \u2014 I\u2019m just going to go strong, firm, normal, regulation, strong handshake and see how we get on (laughs).<\/p>\n \u201cBut yeah it\u2019ll be great to catch up with loads of different people, that\u2019s what Ashes cricket\u2019s about.\u201d<\/p>\n Broad said he will keep in touch with current England players through text and catch up with them during matches.<\/p>\n He expects to conduct the \u201cmajority\u201d of interviews with the tourists \u2014 and he knows relationships will be tested by results on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a difficult one, isn\u2019t it? I\u2019m great mates with a lot of them … I think it will depend if I have to be critical of them at times,\u201d Broad said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I have to say anything harsh then I\u2019ll certainly explain it to the guys at stages. But obviously I\u2019m hoping that I won\u2019t have to be harsh. Hopefully we\u2019re winning games and we\u2019re being really positive.\u201d<\/p>\n Broad\u2019s concern on that front comes after controversy erupted during the women\u2019s Ashes last summer.<\/p>\n Former England star Alex Hartley claimed she was \u201chung out to dry\u201d and given \u201cthe cold shoulder\u201d by some players and coaches for calling out their fitness levels and standards.<\/p>\n Hartley detailed the relationship breakdown after revealing ex-teammate Sophie Ecclestone refused an interview with her on Channel 7\u2019s coverage.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be clear, there are some members of the England team who have been really disappointing, but by no means all,\u201d Hartley wrote later.<\/p>\n \u201cFor some, friendships remain unchanged. For others, I\u2019ve been shocked and surprised by their response.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the Ashes series live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport<\/a><\/p>\n Broad is hopeful he will have no such issues.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately as a friend, it\u2019s irrelevant what happens on the cricket field,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m actually in Sydney on my own at New Year\u2019s Eve so I\u2019m hoping for a little invite to the ECB party if I\u2019m honest. But I haven\u2019t sent any notes out yet.\u201d<\/p>\n The 39-year-old said he has been content with life after cricket but will \u201chave a tingle in my stomach\u201d watching the first ball.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very much, gosh, I know my career is over but now Ashes cricket\u2019s started again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wish I was out there particularly. I don\u2019t look at it like I\u2019d love to be bowling that first ball. Yes, there\u2019s times where I\u2019d love to get a wicket again and get that feeling.<\/p>\n \u201cBut all the work that\u2019s already been done, that hard work preparing yourself for a series like this, I enjoyed doing it while I was doing it but I\u2019m very happy to see other people in the shirt now.\u201d<\/p>\n Broad is avoiding making a series prediction but expects Australia and England to split the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rare scene as cricket great spotted helping Aussie first-timer<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n![\"Stuart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/66ca14e7416507613a03104f300f42fa313909a8.jpg\")
Stuart Broad cops it from Mitchell Johnson during the 2013-14 Ashes. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n![\"Stuart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/a0f87981e0255e68324ed53c64c281c480d8617d.jpg\")
Stuart Broad is leading Channel 7\u2019s Ashes coverage alongside Ricky Ponting. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n