NEW DELHI: Excitement is steadily building as the Ashes 25-26 draws closer, and the rivalry between Australia and England has already sparked fresh debate. Adding fuel to the discussion, veteran batter Steve Smith has voiced his concerns over England’s bowling strategy, suggesting their pace-heavy approach might not suit Australian conditions.
Smith, who is set to captain Australia in the opening Test at Perth in the absence of Pat Cummins, believes the tourists could be overlooking the importance of movement and control over raw speed.
England have included a battery of express quicks, likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, all capable of clocking over 140 kmph. However, Smith feels that relying solely on high pace may not be the best formula for success on Australian wickets, which he believes have evolved over the years.
“I think the wickets are a bit different these days. Those nibbling seamers can actually be quite tricky. They might have got things a bit wrong in terms of the pace from previous years. Sometimes the slower bowlers are harder to face when you have to make the pace yourself,” he told Australian media after a Sheffield Shield match.
The Ashes schedule
The 2025 Ashes will get underway with the first Test in Perth from November 21 to 25, followed by the day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4 to 8. The contest then moves to Adelaide from December 17 to 21, before the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne from December 26 to 30.
The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test in Sydney from January 4 to 8, 2026. England will be desperate to reclaim the urn they last held in 2015, while Australia aim to extend their dominance at home. With both teams brimming with talent and Smith’s comments already stirring the build-up, the stage is perfectly set for a fiery summer of Ashes cricket.
