- Steve Smith reflects on memorable Ashes performances
- Smith’s determination to excel in the Ashes
- Smith’s adaptability and anticipation of England’s strategies
Steve Smith started the 2019 Ashes at Edgbaston with scores of 144 and 142 for a 110.57 five-Test average. As he prepares for a new series to begin at the same venue on Friday, the 34-year-old has stated that he is a stronger player now than he was four years ago, when he terrorized England’s bowlers.
England has won 53.7% of 54 Tests at Edgbaston, their most successful home venue. The Hollies Stand at Edgbaston is renowned for its raucous atmosphere, which may have contributed to England’s success here. Smith, however, stated that he has no recollection of the noise because he “sort of blocked it out and went about my business” and that the stadium contains only positive memories for him.
Given the circumstances and the significance of a first Ashes Test, particularly away from home, “that Test match is probably my favorite so far in my career,” he stated.
“I have some wonderful memories and resources to draw from. I’m aware that it’s a new series – you go to various grounds around the world where you’ve performed well, and you can take some positives from those [memories] and move on, but ultimately it’s a different game.”
The International Cricket Council ranked Smith as the fourth-best Test batsman in the world in 2019, but he enters this series at No. 2, sandwiched between Marnus Labuschagne at No. 1 and Travis Head at No. 3 (the last time one team dominated the top three batting positions was when West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, and Larry Gomes ruled the world in 1984).
“I hope I’m feeling better,” said Smith. “I endeavor to improve every day, so I hope that I am a better player. I believe my previous Ashes series at home [in 2017-18, when he averaged 137.40] was also respectable, so I’ve had a couple of decent ones. I’ll just follow my routines and do my work. I hope to score some runs and assist the team.”
Smith lost in 2013 and 2015 and drew in 2019.
“Based on your Ashes series, you are judged,” he said. “The last time we came over here, we came close to victory, but our best result was a tie. But it’s something I’ve always desired to accomplish in my career. And I know that many of the other boys feel the same way.”
Smith pledged that Australia would “give it a good go,” stating that while preparations were underway to counter England’s expected positive approach, Australia had no intention of “trying to keep up with their fast-paced game.”
“I’m sort of imagining the various things they’ll come up with and how I’ll likely play it,” he said. “As we’ve seen over the past year, they do some interesting things. I’m good at adapting, understanding, and solving problems on the spot. “I’ll just focus on my game and try to counter everything they throw at me. But I’m certain we’ll encounter some new strategies.”
Given the recent hot, dry weather and the nature of the field, Smith described “a reasonable quantity of grass, although it was quite dead… Spin could play a pivotal role in this Test, as the grass is “quite furry but not alive.” “There’ll be times when we put on a bit more pressure and times when we just have to absorb it,” Smith said of Moeen Ali, who returns to the England team after a nearly year-long absence. Some of the fields they set up, with players up and such, may allow us to be aggressive and sometimes get away with it.
England has had comparable thoughts about the Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who is significantly more match-ready.
“If he bowls a good ball, I will respect it,” said Harry Brook. “Aside from that, I intend to challenge him. He could take several wickets, but hopefully, we’ll score a lot of runs against him.”
Brook spent a portion of Tuesday’s training session bowling his medium-pacers in the nets – “It’s an option for Stokesy if the other boys are knackered,” he said – but Ben Stokes’ apparent bowling fluency was more encouraging for England.
He is and has been for many years, the greatest all-rounder in the world, according to Brook. Therefore, having him back on the pitch and bowling quickly is a tremendous boost for us.
