Australian pitches will challenge England
The first Ashes Test begins in Perth on 21 November, a highly-anticipated series after the thrilling draw in 2023, with England looking to regain the urn for the first time since 2015.
Former captain Smith, who is representing Welsh Fire in this year's Hundred, averages 56.01 in Tests against England but is expecting a tougher challenge for batters this time around.
"Their batters are going to be challenged a little bit differently to the wickets they have had over in England for a while, which have looked pretty flat and good for batting," Smith told BBC Sport.
"The wickets in Australia in the last three or four years have been very tricky for top order batters. It is going to be a good challenge for them.
"But it's going to be a wonderful series. I have been watching the India and England series and there has been some great cricket played there, so I think the Ashes this year is going to be an absolute belter."
Smith, 36, also said the respective pace attacks were the strength for both teams. Australia's top order struggled in the recent series against West Indies on bowler-friendly surfaces where the highest team total was 286 across three Tests.
And despite plenty of recent chat around Mitchell Starc, 35, Josh Hazlewood, 34, and Scott Boland, 36, coming to the end of their Test careers, the three combined to skittle West Indies for just 27 earlier this month - a performance so dominant that their skipper and fellow quick Pat Cummins did not bowl an over in the innings.
However, Smith has also noted a change of approach from England in comparison to the 2023 series which was only a year into Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's time in charge.
"They have started to play a little bit differently in the last couple of weeks in terms of playing the situation, as opposed to going out and trying to be the entertainers that they said they wanted to be," Smith added.
"They are actually trying to win the games now which is perhaps different to what was said in their comments previously."
The Hundred to help Olympic ambitions
Smith was originally signed by Welsh Fire for the first edition of The Hundred in 2020, but the tournament was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But he says playing in the competition is on his "bucket list" as he focuses on playing more franchise cricket around the world in order to regain his place in Australia's T20 side and to play in the Olympics.
The Los Angeles Games in 2028 will see cricket featured for the first time since 1900.
"I decided to stop playing one-day cricket so I can play more franchises, with the aim to make the Olympic team," Smith said.
"So to play more shorter-form tournaments around the world is only going to be beneficial.
"It has been a long run for me and I have been doing this a long time. I am still enjoying it and particularly the shorter formats, and want to keep putting my name out there."
The Hundred starts on 5 August with a double header between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles, while Welsh Fire take on Northern Superchargers in their first game two days later.
Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stunning development for Nathan Cleary and brother as Tigers torched over Luai move
It was a family affair for the Cleary clan on Saturday as Nathan put on a clinic for the Panthers against the Wests Tigers. But his heroics might not have been the best performance of the day by a halfback named Cleary. Younger brother Jett produced his best game at NSW Cup level to date as the Warriors' reserve-grade team trounced the Rabbitohs 68-6. Jett scored two tries and had a hand in a plethora of others, while also slotting two conversions after taking over the kicking duties late in the game. Souths were absolutely decimated due to the injury crisis engulfing their first-grade squad, meaning NSW Cup players were playing up at NRL level. But it shouldn't take anything away from Cleary's performance, with the 20-year-old stepping up to reserve-grade level himself. Luke Metcalf's ACL injury has seen Tanah Boyd move up from NSW Cup to NRL, which in turn has seen Cleary promoted from Jersey Flegg (Under-21s) to NSW Cup. Saturday marked Cleary's third game in NSW Cup since Metcalf's injury forced a reshuffle, and the Warriors have won all three. Cleary hasn't missed a beat as the Warriors continued a historic winning streak with their 14th victory in a row. It's the all-time record for most-consecutive wins in NSW Cup. Jett continues to make a name for himself after splitting with his famous brother and father and heading across the ditch. The 20-year-old is a Penrith junior, but signed a three-year deal with the Warriors to try and forge his own path away from the Panthers. They started him in Flegg, it's good to see they are bringing him along slowly — James Cheeseman @ (@shaggy84329) July 27, 2025 Come home some day Jett. Good to see your career come along though — Michael Bianchi .. Panthers 1991-2003,21,22,23,24 (@Penropennies) July 27, 2025 Can he kick? Surely he gets a chance. Tannah Boyd is not the answer. — Rich Giovanni 'Conte' Mollo (@mollogio) July 26, 2025 He's going to look great back in the panthers jersey after this unofficial 'loan' ends - kids got talent — Sport Season (@NRLFan1967) July 26, 2025 Nathan Cleary in ominous form for Panthers Just a few hours after Jett's superb display, his brother Nathan was doing similar things at NRL level. Nathan had three try-assists and a line-break, while also kicking six from six conversions in the Panthers' 36-2 victory over the Tigers. The fact he's goal-kicking again means his groin injury is well behind him, and it's a scary sight for the rest of the NRL. The Panthers have now won seven-straight games in a stunning surge up the NRL ladder after sitting rock-bottom just two months ago. Ivan Cleary's side are now fifth on the NRL ladder and just three points behind the Warriors in fourth. "I'll be happy to make the top eight, really," said coach Cleary after being asked if his team can dare to dream of a top-four finish. "I'm very proud of the boys, the whole club really, the way we've just sort of hung in there and essentially just trusted what we do. It's funny how things fall your way a little bit when you're winning and it's probably the opposite when you're not. We can reflect more on that later on." Tigers' loss piles pressure on Benji Marshall and Jarome Luai The woeful loss for the Tigers has sparked questions of marquee signing Jarome Luai, who moved from Penrith on a $6 million deal last off-season. The $1.2m-per-year offer was too good to refuse as it allowed Luai to set his family up, but questions are being asked as to whether the Tigers overpaid. Luai won four premierships at Penrith, but has struggled while trying to be the main man at the Tigers and step out of Cleary's lengthy shadow. He hasn't scored a try all season and only has 10 try assists after 21 rounds. RELATED: Cameron Munster 'open' to switch to Melbourne Storm's rival NRL world all says same thing about Reece Walsh after Broncos loss One person wrote on social media: "As a Wests Tigers fan for nearly 49 years I am getting incredibly frustrated with the club! We paid big money for Jarome Luai for what! I thought he was the answer to turning the team around! Big mistake we do better without him!" Another wrote: "Luai was NEVER going to be a messiah for the club. He's good, but NOT that good. Wests Tigers need some hard-working raw-boned forwards to help (Terrell) May out. Then you might see some improvement. Sadly I don't think Benji's the answer as coach either." After a promising start to the season, the Tigers are now 13th on the ladder and just two points ahead of the last-placed Rabbitohs. The Titans' win over the Warriors vaulted them out of 17th place and put Wayne Bennett in danger of being handed his first wooden spoon ever.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
'I'm Going to Party': Lucy Bronze Won't Let Injury Keep Her From Celebrating Euro Title
Lucy Bronze isn't going to let an injury — even a fractured tibia — stop the celebrations around England's 2025 UEFA Women's Euro title. The England right-back revealed after the Lionesses' victory over Spain on penalties that she played the entire tournament with the aforementioned leg injury, as well as suffering a further knock to her left knee in Sunday's final. Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Bronze said she kept the tibia injury literally under wraps. The team heavily relied on her experience this tournament, including her deciding penalty in last week's wild penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarterfinals. "Which is why the girls gave me a lot of love after the Sweden game, because I've been in a lot of pain," Bronze said. "If that is what it takes to play for England, that is what I'll do. It's very painful, but I'm going to party." The 33-year-old has now played seven major tournaments for England, highlighted by the back-to-back Euro wins. England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed Bronze's injury after the game, noting the player's mindset with a trophy on the line. "The whole team has a great mentality, but she has a crazy mentality," Weigman said. "It's unbelievable." Bronze had to be subbed off in extra time for Sunday's game and was seen hobbling around with her teammates during the trophy celebration. She was carried around the pitch for the festivities by England backup keeper Anna Moorhouse, which will certainly go down as a lasting image of England's memorable night. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool signed one of the most skilful players on the planet
Liverpool now have one of the most skilful players on the planet. It's been apparent over the last year that Arne Slot is keen on adding more skill to his attack. The Reds were brilliant last season, but they lacked a player who can take players on one vs one and create space for others. Shop the LFC Store LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now Someone who can also be unpredictable. This is why they had considered making a move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the January transfer window. Ultimately, Paris Saint Germain were the ones who were able to sway the exquisite Georgian attacker, and they reaped the rewards, becoming Champions League winners and beating Liverpool along the way. For the Reds though, missing out on Kvaratskhelia may have been a silver lining. Because little did they realise, but they already had a player of his ilk, and had already signed him last summer. Richard Hughes got a lot of criticism last year when he ultimately didn't really go big on any transfer. Obviously, those critics are very silent now as Liverpool have embarked on a spending spree. But Hughes did make one transfer that could go onto retrospectively be known as one of his best deals ever. We are talking about the acquisition of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. Last year the 16-year-old's arrival caused shockwaves but little did we know just how good of a player Ngumoha was actually really is. There was a lot of hype, and a lot to live up to and over the course of the last year, he's done that. At academy level, Ngumoha has been averaging around 13 dribblers per 90 minutes, and completing over 50% of his attempts. Those are on par with the most skilful players on the planet. In pre-season, he's showing he can translate that to senior level as well. Against AC Milan he was one of the best players on the pitch, creating the most chances (two) and winning the most duels (4) in the first-half. Most importantly, he completed the most dribblers (3) on the same pitch that included Rafael Leao, which is impressive to say the least. Overall as we have no access to data from the Stoke City game, in which Ngumoha scored, he's played around 90 minutes for Liverpool in pre-season so far. In those 90 minutes, Ngumoha has attempted nine dribbles and completed six of them. It's a small sample size but these are the numbers he has produced at academy and youth international level, too. Ngumoha is simply one of the most skilful players on the planet already. He thrives in tight spaces and he has AC Milan's senior players not really knowing how to deal with him. There's no denying he will play more minutes for the first team next season. There's also no denying, Hughes pulled off a major coup when he signed him last summer. With Ngumoha in the side, Slot will finally have that unpredictable element. Add Florian Wirtz to the mix and Liverpool will undoubtedly be even better next season.
