Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Steve Smith Doubts England's Pace Attack for Ashes Wickets
A famous Australian cricket player, Steve Smith, thinks England might have picked the wrong kind of fast bowlers for their upcoming big series against Australia, called the Ashes.
Smith believes the Australian cricket grounds, called wickets, are better for bowlers who make the ball swing or move slightly off the seam.
England has chosen many bowlers who can throw the ball very, very fast, but Smith wonders if that's the best strategy.
He remembers that sometimes slower balls that move a little can be harder for batsmen to hit.
England's famous swing bowlers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad are now retired, and Smith suggests their style might have been more effective.
Smith himself has been playing well recently in practice games, getting ready for the series, which starts on November 21 in Perth.
Steve Smith questions England's choice of fast bowlers for the Ashes, suggesting seam and swing might be more effective on Australian wickets.
Smith believes Australian wickets, particularly at the Gabba and SCG, can be tricky and favor 'nibblers' over extreme pace.
England's Ashes squad heavily features fast bowlers capable of exceeding 145 kph, with a focus on pace.
Smith contrasts England's current fast-bowling attack with retired swing and seam specialists like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
The first Ashes Test is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 21, with Australian wickets expected to be quick and bouncy.
- Who
- Steve Smith (Australian cricketer)
- What
- Questioning the suitability of England's chosen fast bowlers for Australian wicket conditions during the Ashes series.
- When
- Late Wednesday, in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test starting November 21.
- Where
- Australia (specifically mentioning Perth, Brisbane, Sydney Cricket Ground, and Gabba).
- Why
- Smith believes Australian wickets might favor seam and swing bowling over extreme pace, potentially disadvantaging England's squad, and bases this assessment on his recent Sheffield Shield experience.
Steve Smith's Assessment
England's Bowler Selection Rationale (Implied)
Suitability of Bowlers for Australian Wickets
Steve Smith's Assessment
Steve Smith believes England may have chosen the wrong type of bowlers, suggesting that Australian wickets will favor seam and swing bowlers over an all-pace attack. He notes that wickets at the Gabba and SCG can be tricky for batsmen when the ball 'nibbles', and that slower bowlers can sometimes be harder to play on certain surfaces. Smith contrasts the current England squad with retired swing and seam stalwarts like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
England's Bowler Selection Rationale (Implied)
England's squad heavily features fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, capable of bowling over 145 kph. While not traditional seamers, their selection implies a strategy focused on pace, possibly due to their fitness and availability for this series, and the expectation that some Australian wickets (Perth, Brisbane) will be quick and bouncy.
- Steve Smith's Recent Form
- Scored 57 and 56 not out against Victoria, and 118 against Queensland in Sheffield Shield matches.
- England's Selected Fast Bowlers
- Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue.
- Bowlers Favored by Australian Wickets (According to Smith)
- Seam and swing bowlers, like retired players James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
- Australian Wickets Mentioned
- Gabba (Brisbane), Sydney Cricket Ground, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne.
- First Test Location
- Perth
- First Test Date
- November 21
Sources
Skipper Ben Stokes defends England's preparation for the Ashes cricket series in Australia - Telegraph India
'This is probably the best Ashes team they have this century'
Ashes 2025: England captain Ben Stokes defends their preparation for crunch series vs Australia
