Steve Smith Warns Bens Stokes' England: 'Ashes This Year Will Be Absolute...'
Steve Smith warns England batters of tougher pitches in Australia for the Ashes series, contrasting with the flat pitches in the India-England series.
England batters are enjoying themselves on 'pretty flat" pitches at home, but Steve Smith warns that the Ashes series later this year will present a completely different challenge when Ben Stokes' side visits Australia.
The ease of batting in the ongoing India-England series has sparked debate, and Smith believes British batters shouldn't get too accustomed to batting-friendly pitches.
Both teams have managed to score over 500 runs in an innings at least once and have consistently posted scores exceeding 400.
'Their (England) batters are going to be challenged differently than they have been on the flat, batting-friendly wickets in England," Smith was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
'The wickets in Australia over 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."
As part of his preparation for the Ashes, Smith is closely monitoring England's clash with India.
'I have been watching the India and England series, and there has been some great cricket played there. I think the Ashes this year is going to be an absolute belter," he said.
Smith feels England have moved away from their all-out attacking approach and seem more focused on winning matches than entertaining fans.
'They have started to play a bit differently in the last couple of weeks, focusing on the situation rather than just trying to entertain as they previously claimed," Smith said.
'They are actually trying to win games now, which is different from what they said before."
Australia's T20 squad is currently in the middle of a five-match series against the West Indies, but Smith, who will captain Welsh Fire in the upcoming Hundred tournament, is in England.
Though he retired from ODIs after the Champions Trophy in February this year, Smith aims to continue playing the shortest format until the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where cricket will make its comeback, to become an Olympian.
'I decided to stop playing one-day cricket to play more franchises, with the aim of making the Olympic team," Smith said.
'Playing more shorter-form tournaments around the world will be beneficial. It's been a long run for me, and I have been doing this for a long time. I am still enjoying it, particularly the shorter formats, and want to keep putting my name out there."
(With PTI Inputs)
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First Published:
July 26, 2025, 19:21 IST
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