Fresh off a memorable performance against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Steve Smith is eagerly preparing for the highly anticipated Ashes series in 2023. Smith’s exceptional form was on full display as he smashed his 31st Test century in the summit clash, providing a glimpse of his red-hot form ahead of the upcoming battle against England.
Smith has a history of notable performances on English soil, particularly in the Ashes. He kicked off the 2019 Ashes series in spectacular fashion, scoring centuries in both innings of the first Test. Throughout the series, he amassed a phenomenal total of 774 runs across seven innings, leaving an indelible impact on the rivalry.
Reflecting on his past accomplishments, Smith revealed that his favorite match in the longest format is the Edgbaston Test, considering the circumstances and the significance of the Ashes opener. However, he remained grounded, acknowledging that it is a new series and a new year, and he wouldn’t read too much into his previous success at the venue.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Smith emphasized his focus on maintaining his routines and contributing to Australia’s success in the upcoming Ashes series. He understands the importance of staying grounded and approaching each match with a fresh perspective.
“I think that Test match is probably my favourite out of my career so far, given the circumstances and the importance of a first Ashes Test, particularly away from home,” said Smith as quoted by India Today.
“It would be nice to repeat it again but I’m just going to go out there and go through my routines and do what I need to do, and hopefully I can score some runs and help the team out. Coming back here I’ve got some wonderful memories and some things I can draw from. However, I know it’s a new series, it’s a new year, a new Ashes, so I can draw on those experiences but not read too much into it. You go to different grounds around the world that you’ve done well at and you can take some positives out of those and sort of move forward with them, but ultimately it’s another game,” he added.
