🔗 Share this article

The veteran bowler admitted that he remains uncertain about a reliable method to remove Steve Smith and suggests that the Ashes could become a lengthy battle if the English team doesn't get Smith quickly.

The Batsman's Impressive Statistics

The 36-year-old batsman, recognized as among the best contemporary cricketers, holds a remarkable average of over 56 in the Ashes series with 12 hundred-run innings to his name.

The right-handed batsman, who has participated in every Ashes series since 2010-11, dominated the batting charts during the 2017-18 and subsequent 2019 contests, registering substantial run tallies while the English bowler was in the national team.

Facing Smith's Batting

"It's vivid in my memory when he scored that substantial innings in Perth during 2017 and every delivery seemed to hit the sweet spot for three consecutive days," Broad commented on a cricket podcast.

"Each ball I tried ended up meeting the center of his blade."

"He possesses that particular mindset of the wicket works for me, and I'm determined not to get out."

Impressive Numbers

Broad managed to dismiss his opponent 11 instances in the longest format - exceeding by three other bowlers - yet confesses he still doesn't know a consistent weakness.

The batsman's lifetime average of just over 56 increases to 59.70 when on home soil. Only the legendary Ricky Ponting with 41 tons has achieved greater numbers than 36 hundred-run innings for the national side.

Facing the Batting Genius

Broad stated: "Clearly his technique has evolved over time, but I continue to struggle to clearly identify 'this is the way to get him out."

"It shows an amazing ability of his. He's exceptionally difficult to face. On occasion it seems as if you didn't send an weak offering and it still races for a boundary."

Recent Form and Preparation

His output dipped somewhat between mid-2023 to late 2024 when he had 23 appearances without a Test century, but he returned to form with double tons against India last winter and made 131 and 141 runs against the Sri Lankan team at the beginning of 2025.

After a 60-day pause, he commenced his buildup for the England-Australia contest in late October and quickly registered 118 in his initial outing.

Winning Approach

"To emerge triumphant, we must contain his output to below fifty, correct?" Broad questioned.

"He's going to make a hundred, it's his specialty."

"If he averages 40, that represents a minimum of fifteen under his lifetime figure, so your strategy is working. I believe you must remove him before he settles."

"Unless England aren't celebrating getting him out within his first 40 runs, it promises to be a drawn-out battle."

Changing Strategies

England has tried different approaches to address Smith's unusual style during a decade and a half of Ashes competition.

The bowler mentioned developing a new outswinger designed against Smith before the 2023 series, while England has targeted his pads, delivered outside from the off-side and tried bowling the close-in leg-side field during that year's matches - a series that Smith started with two consecutive tons at the Birmingham ground.

Unforgettable Instances

"It comes to mind when Jason Roy was positioned at leg gully, and he repeatedly dove left and right for the first 30 deliveries, just missing him multiple times," the bowler remembered.

"Smith got away, made two hundreds in that game, remarkable performances."

The bowler continued: "I participated in a bowlers' meeting about Steve Smith in that season and someone mentioned 'oh, you could try attacking his stumps early'}."

"'Oh really, let's verify the number of occasions he's lost his wickets in home matches during the last five years?' A single instance."

Archer's Potential Impact

The next encounter, commencing in Friday in Perth (early morning GMT), appears likely to feature the batsman confronting Jofra Archer for their initial test meeting since the previous encounter, when he was notably unsettled and struck by a bouncer during the fast bowler's intense over at that famous venue.

Smith has consistently emphasized that the bowler didn't get him in that match - he had to retire hurt and was eventually out by Woakes' delivery upon resuming his innings - though Arcer did manage to dismiss him on a hook shot in an ODI during the previous season.

"Can Jofra Archer provide the answer?" the bowler questioned. "Making him nick from short of good length, just chasing it."

"Because Jofra Archer has that trajectory of nipping back towards the target, can he deliver an outgoing delivery? Smith looks for the nip-backer."