‘Ashes series are what you’re judged on’ – Steve Smith eyes big score for Australia ahead of crucial series

Australia star batter Steve Smith expressed that he would look to play an integral role for his side in the eagerly-anticipated Ashes series against arch-rivals England. Notably, the first Test is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 16 at the Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Recalling his prior stints in the historic series, Smith stated that he aims to get better and keep improving to get the vital runs for his side. For the unversed, the Aussies have failed to obtain a series win against England on the latter’s soil in the prior two meetings.

Notably, the Aussies lost in 2015 and levelled the series in 2019. Smith further expressed that his side will look to clinch the series, as the Ashes is what the players are ‘judged’ on.

“I hope I’m better. I strive every day to be better so I hope that I’m a better player. I think my Ashes series before that back home [in 2017-18, when he averaged 137.40] was reasonable as well so I’ve had a couple of good ones. It would be nice to repeat it, but I’m just going to go out there and go through my routines and do what I need to do. Hopefully, I can score some runs and help the team out,” Smith was quoted as saying by ‘The Guardian’.

“Ashes series are what you’re judged on. The last time we came over here we got close to winning – the next best result was drawing and we did that. But it’s certainly something I’ve wanted to tick off my bucket list in my career, and I know it’s the same for a lot of the other boys as well,” he added.

 I think one of my big strengths is being able to adapt on the go: Smith

He further spoke on England’s ‘Bazball’ approach and expressed that his biggest strength is to adapt as per the requirements of the game. 

“I’m sort of getting in my mind different things that they’ll come up with and how I’m likely to play it. I think we’ve seen in the last 12 months, they do some funky things. I think one of my big strengths is being able to adapt on the go, to understand what they’re trying to do, and solve the problem out there in the middle. I’ll just focus on my game and try and counter each thing they come up with – but we’re expecting some different stuff, that’s for sure,” concluded Smith.