Australia will be big challenge: Steve Smith fires warning at England before Ashes

Australian batter Steve Smith has issued a warning to England ahead of the upcoming Ashes, noting that although they impressed in their recent series against India, the conditions in Australia will be a much tougher test.

England last won the Ashes in Australia in 2010-11, securing a 3-1 series victory thanks to Alastair Cook’s 766 runs and James Anderson’s 24 wickets. Since then, they have failed to win a single Test on Australian soil, struggling against pace-friendly pitches and Australia’s relentless bowling attack.

In preparation for the Ashes, England drew their five-Test home series against India 2-2, playing an aggressive style of cricket but revealing weaknesses under pressure, especially in decisive moments.

Australia’s seasoned bowling line-up, combined with challenging home pitches, is expected to push England’s batting to the limit as they try to end a 14-year winless streak Down Under.

“Their series against India was one of the best I’ve seen in years. They play aggressive cricket, but batting in Australia will be a big challenge. Our wickets have been tricky, and we’ve got an experienced, successful bowling attack,” Smith told Sky Sports in an interview.

‘Joe Root has been outstanding’

Smith, who’s currently playing for Welsh Fire in the Hundred, hailed Joe Root ahead of the Ashes, noting that the English batters have made his starts count, especially in the last two years.

In the recent Test series against India in England, Root scored 537 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 67.12, including three centuries and a fifty. Yet in Australia across 27 innings, he averages just 35.68 and remains without a Test century there.

“He’s been outstanding the past two years, turning 50s into big hundreds. He hasn’t scored a Test hundred in Australia yet — I’m sure he’ll be aiming for it, but hopefully he doesn’t get it this summer.

“We’ll just let our skills do the talking. We know our conditions well and trust our game,” Smith added.

The upcoming Ashes starts on November 21 with the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth.