I do a lot of visualisation while I should be sleeping: Steve Smith

Australia ace Steve Smith is arguably the greatest Test batter in the modern era. The 34-year-old recently opened up about the way he keeps visualising facing Stuart Broad in the upcoming Ashes 2023. The five-match Test series will be contested in five different venues in England from June 16 to July 31.

Smith recently scored a magnificent century during the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, which Australia won by 209 runs.

While speaking on the 'Legends of the Ashes' podcast, Smith spoke about his preparations for the Ashes. The 34-year-old said that instead of sleeping, he thinks of Stuart Broad racing in at him with three slips, point, mid-off, looking at what his alternatives are to score, how he’s looking to get him out. He added that if any negative thoughts arise, he lets them go as quickly as possible.

“I do a lot of visualisation while I should be sleeping. Like during the Ashes, I’m thinking of Broady running in at me with three slips, point, mid-off, looking at what my options are to score, how he’s looking to get me out. All positive stuff. [If] any negative thoughts pop in, I let them go as quickly as possible," Smith said.

Stuart Broad speaks about his Ashes 2023 preparations

England veteran pacer Stuart Broad also spoke about his preparations for the Ashes series. The 36-year-old shared a great bond with pacer James Anderson. He revealed how he seeks Anderson's guidance and attempts to read the conditions as quickly as feasible.

“I always leave it four balls before I speak to him [Anderson], allowing him to gather his information to make sure he’s comfortable. After the fourth ball, I always wander to him and go, ‘What you think? Swing? Seam? What length? Is it a bit fuller, is it a bit shorter? How are you feeling?’ And then I have a little bit of info for the over that I bowl and then it’s just an open communication all the time," said Broad.