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News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Steve Smith Warns Bens Stokes' England: 'Ashes This Year Will Be Absolute...'
Last Updated: 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) view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 19:21 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
'I have been watching the India and England series...': Steve Smith gives big statement on Ashes
Steve Smith has warned England batters about the tough challenge awaiting them in the upcoming Ashes 2025 in Australia, saying flat pitches at home won't prepare them for tricky Aussie conditions. read more London: England batters are making merry on 'pretty flat' pitches at home but the Ashes series later this year will throw an altogether different challenge when Ben Stokes-led side visits Australia, warns batting stalwart Steve Smith. The ease of batting in the ongoing India-England has become a topic of debate and Smith believes the British batters shouldn't get too used to batting-friendly pitches. The two teams have managed to score more than 500 runs in an innings at least once and have consistently put on board runs in excess of 400. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Their (England) 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 was quoted as saying by 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.' As part of preparation for the Ashes, Smith is keeping a close eye on England's clash with India. '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,' he said. Smith feels England have curbed down their all-out attacking approach and look more focussed on winning matches than entertaining fans. '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 said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They are actually trying to win the games now which is perhaps different to what was said in their comments previously.' 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 desires to continue playing the shortest format till 2028 Los Angels Games, where cricket will make its comeback, to become an Olympian. '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 for a long time. I am still enjoying it and particularly the shorter formats and want to keep putting my name out there.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Tough Ashes series awaits England, warns Australian batter Steve Smith
England batters are making merry on "pretty flat" pitches at home but the Ashes series later this year will throw an altogether different challenge when Ben Stokes-led side visits Australia, warns batting stalwart Steve Smith. The ease of batting in the ongoing India-England has become a topic of debate and Smith believes the British batters shouldn't get too used to batting-friendly pitches. The two teams have managed to score more than 500 runs in an innings at least once and have consistently put on board runs in excess of 400. "Their (England) 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 was quoted as saying by 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." As part of preparation for the Ashes, Smith is keeping a close eye on England's clash with India. "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," he said. Smith feels England have curbed down their all-out attacking approach and look more focussed on winning matches than entertaining fans. "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 said. "They are actually trying to win the games now which is perhaps different to what was said in their comments previously." 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 desires to continue playing the shortest format till 2028 Los Angels Games, where cricket will make its comeback, to become an Olympian. "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 for a long time. I am still enjoying it and particularly the shorter formats and want to keep putting my name out there.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Steve Smith issues warning to England, says be ready for tough times in Ashes
England's batters are enjoying a run-fest on "pretty flat" home pitches, but Australian great has warned that the upcoming Ashes series later this year will present a completely different challenge for Ben Stokes and his side when they tour Australia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With pitches in the ongoing India-England Test series heavily favouring batters, Smith believes England's top order must not get too comfortable, as they'll face far tougher conditions down under. Both teams have already posted scores in excess of 500 at least once and have consistently crossed the 400-run mark. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "Their (England) 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 was quoted as saying by 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." As part of his preparation, Smith has been closely following the India vs England 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," he said. Smith also noted a shift in England's approach, saying their recent performances suggest a move away from their aggressive, crowd-pleasing 'Bazball' style to a more pragmatic, result-oriented mindset. "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 said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "They are actually trying to win the games now which is perhaps different to what was said in their comments previously." Although Australia's T20 team is currently engaged in a five-match series against the West Indies, Smith is already in England, preparing to lead Welsh Fire in The Hundred. After retiring from ODI cricket earlier this year following the Champions Trophy, Smith has shifted focus to T20s and harbours hopes of representing Australia in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will return as an Olympic sport. "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 for a long time. I am still enjoying it and particularly the shorter formats and want to keep putting my name out there."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australian pitches will challenge England
Australian pitches will provide a different challenge for England's batters in this winter's Ashes, says Steve Smith. 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
