Ashes 2025: Smith warns England – “Australian pitches will be a tougher test”

Smith
Smith (PC: X)

Steve Smith thinks that Australian pitches will pose a different challenge for the England batters in the upcoming Ashes. The first Test of the Ashes series will begin in Perth on November 21. 

This is one of the oldest rivalries in cricket, and this year’s Ashes is highly anticipated, especially since the last series in 2023 ended in a thrilling draw. England will look to win the Ashes after 10 years, having last done so in 2015.

Smith, who has a fantastic average of 56.01 against England in Test matches, told BBC Sport that the pitches in Australia have been more challenging for batters over the last three to four years than those in England.

“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. 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.”

He believes it will be a great series, well fought between the two teams.

“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 also said that the pacers of both teams will be their strength. Australia’s batters struggled against the West Indies on bowling-friendly pitches in their last series, but their pace attack made up for it.

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