Steven Smith has issued a stern warning to England ahead of the crucial Ashes series in November, saying that the Australia tour will be a tougher challenge for the Three Lions. Steven Smith lauded England for a good series against India, where they won two Tests and drew the series, but added that the conditions Down Under will be much trickier, and against a quality pace attack, it won’t be easy.
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.
Steve Smith has a brilliant record in the Ashes series. Steve Smith is the leading run-scorer in the 21st century in the Ashes, with 3417 runs in 37 fixtures at an average of 56.01 and 12 hundreds under his belt. Steve Smith is also the only player with ten consecutive fifty-plus scores in the Ashes.
Steve Smith is the third-highest run getter in the Ashes, behind England’s John Hobbs (3636) and the legendary Don Bradman (5028). While in active players, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is the highest wicket-taker in the Ashes with 110 scalps in 30 matches. Ahead of Ashes 2025-26, Steve Smith believes that Australia have all the resources to give the tough competition to England at the Ashes 2025-26 .
England have a good side at the moment- Steven Smith
Aussie veteran batter Steve Smith believes the wickets in Australia for the last three to four years have been tricky, and it will be challenging for the England batters in the Ashes later this year.
The highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26 Test series between Australia and England will take place between November 21, 2025, and January 8, 2026, in Australia. The five-game series, which is a component of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, will represent yet another chapter.
In a video on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel, Smith said,
“I think England have a good side at the moment. They’re obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket, and I think coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters, it’s going to be a big challenge. I think the wickets for the last three or four years have been tricky.”
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,” Steve Smith told Sky Sports in an interview.
The upcoming Ashes starts on November 21 with the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth . Pat Cummins’ Australia, the current holders of the Ashes, will face Ben Stokes’ England, which will aim to reclaim the urn on Australian soil.
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