Steve Smith kicked off the 2019 Ashes series in spectacular fashion, scoring centuries in both innings at the same ground. The impressive display took place at Edgbaston, where his opening day score of 144 set the tone for a remarkable series performance. Smith accumulated a phenomenal 774 runs across seven innings, leaving a lasting impact on the series.Reflecting on his performance ahead of the forthcoming 2023 Ashes, Smith described the Edgbaston Test match as his favourite in his career so far, considering the circumstances and the significance of the first Ashes Test, particularly away from home.
However, he remained grounded, acknowledging that it is a new series and a new year, and he would not read too much into his previous success at the venue. Smith expressed his focus on following his routines and contributing to Australia’s success.
“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,” Smith said.
“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.”
As the second-highest ranked player in the Test batting rankings, Smith enters the first Test at Edgbaston with confidence. He is part of a trio of Australians dominating the top of the batting rankings, alongside teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.
Smith commended Labuschagne and Head for their exceptional improvements over the past few years and highlighted their contrasting playing styles. Labuschagne and Smith approach situations differently, with the former adopting a more aggressive and instinctive “see ball, hit ball” mentality, while Smith tends to think his way through situations.
Smith praised the hard work of his teammates and expressed his satisfaction in seeing them rise to the top of the rankings alongside him. With Smith’s impressive form and the strong performances of Labuschagne and Head, Australia appear to be in a formidable position as they gear up for the upcoming Ashes series.
