Smith eager for Ashes after ‘outstanding’ England-India series

The Aussie batting icon previews the much-anticipated five-test series at home against the arch-rivals and a historic first at LA28 Olympics.

Steve Smith is raring to go against England in the home Ashes later this year.

The charismatic Australia batter, who has the third-highest test runs against England after Sir Don Bradman and Allan Border, opened up about the five-test series in an interview with Sky Sports.

Smith conceded that he was closely following the recently concluded England-India test series, and that England’s aggressive style of play is likely to produce an exciting contest Down Under.

“I watched a lot of the series against India and it was one of the best test series I've seen in a long time. The cricket that was played by both teams was outstanding.

“England have a good side at the moment. They are obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket.

“I think coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters, it's going to be a big challenge. The wickets in the last three-four years have been really tricky.

“We've obviously got a very experienced bowling line-up with guys that have played over a long period of time and been extremely successful. I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a great series.”

INCREDIBLE JOE ROOT

Smith also weighed in on the achievements of England’s Joe Root, who recently eclipsed the likes of Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest test run-getter of all time.

“I think not just in that series (against India) but probably the last two years, he’s been incredible. His ability to make big scores - to go from 50 to 100 - which was one thing he got caught in that spot for a while.

“Now he’s just making that count and making huge scores. He hasn’t scored a hundred in Australia.

“I think that’s been talked about quite a lot. I’m sure that’s something he wants to tick off his bucket list as well.”

Root has been in staggering form with the bat for England since their last tour Down Under, having recently become the first batter to have notched 6000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship.

When asked if Australia will be looking to resort to competitive banter to get the better of the England lynchpin, Smith said, “I think the way we’ve played out cricket in the last few years is to just let our skills do the talking.

“We’ve played really good cricket in the last four years in test cricket, making two World Test Championship Finals.

“So we’re doing a lot of things right. For us, it’s just letting our skills take over.”

CHASING THE OLYMPICS DREAM

Another major tournament outing on the cards for Australia’s seasoned campaigner is featuring in the LA28 Olympics.

With cricket making a return to the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years, Smith expanded on what it will mean to be a part of the landmark moment.

“I've watched a lot of Olympics since I was a young kid and I've really enjoyed watching the Australian athletes go about it.

“When I heard that cricket was going to be a part of it, I was like that would be really cool to be involved in.

“I've obviously played in lots of World Cups and Ashes and Border-Gavaskar Trophies and things like that, when this popped up, it was something new.

“A new opportunity to represent your country on the world stage. I'd love to be involved in that. But still a fair bit away, so we'll see.”

AHMED TARGETS ALL-ROUND CONSISTENCY BEFORE ASHES

Elsewhere, Spin allrounder Rehan Ahmed spoke about how he had upped his batting.

Rehan Ahmed created history on his test debut, becoming the youngest-ever player to pick a five-for in the format. Having found success early in his career, he featured in England's subsequent sub-continent assignments, including the tour of India.

Despite his 22 wickets from five outings, Ahmed didn't find a place in the England test squad on a regular basis. He was missing from the recently concluded home series against India, despite an injury to first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir.

But Ahmed has boosted his credentials ahead of the all-important Ashes Down Under. He found immense success in the domestic season for Leicestershire scoring 760 runs in 10 matches that included five centuries to go with his 23 wickets, making a good case for himself as an all-round spin bowling prospect.

“I still feel like I’m a bowler who bowls and a batter who can bat,” Ahmed stated in an interview with Telegraph Sport.

Ahmed was pleased with his recent run with the willow, and had confidence in his batting abilities.

“I want to be very good at both. Whether that takes me years or happens quickly, I will always be striving to be the best allrounder I can.

“I feel that if I occupy the crease long enough, I will always find ways to score. I just had to find a way to stay out there long enough. I am surprised that I’ve kept my head switched on long enough to get five hundreds, but I’m delighted."

On being given a hint about the Steve Smith comparisons, with the Australia batting stalwart also having started as a leg-spinning allrounder before becoming an all-time great batter, Ahmed reiterated that bowling was his primary skill.

"I love bowling, too! Whenever I’ve played for England, it’s been as a bowler. I still do think that’s my first skill and I am trying to learn as much as I possibly can.

"Leg-spin is an art that you can never perfect. It’s about working as hard as possible.

“I want to bowl as much as I possibly can. I enjoy it. I love being part of the game as much as I can. So I just want to get runs and a load of wickets consistently in the same games.”

While Ahmed was thrilled at the prospect of featuring in the Ashes, he was keeping his feet grounded, stating that the ultimate call on selection remained with the management.

“I’ve never been to Australia, never played there. It looks a great place to play, and the Ashes is an incredible occasion. I’d love to be a part of it.

"I know the management, if they pick me, they back me 100 per cent. If they don’t, it’s because they don’t think I’m the right man for the job there. I have full faith in their judgement.