Steve Smith’s performance during the Ashes series has raised serious concerns for England’s cricket team. His struggles came to a head in Sydney, where his reckless wicket contributed to the team’s ongoing issues.
Smith’s Recent Struggles
On December 22, during the fifth Test in Sydney, Smith was dismissed in a controversial manner. Initially caught at cover, replays revealed that bowler Cameron Green had overstepped the crease. Following this, Smith had a near miss, edging the ball between wicketkeeper Alex Carey and first slip fielder Beau Webster.
Throughout the match, Smith managed to escape dismissal multiple times, including a top edge over the slips at a score of 30 and a miscue that almost caught mid-on off his bat at 34. Despite these fortunate moments, Smith’s form has been disappointing over the series.
An Ashes to Forget
Smith’s performance in the Ashes has been lackluster, particularly since an impressive innings of 184 against India in July. His batting average, which stood at nearly 59 post-Edgbaston, has since plummeted to 42 over eight matches. In Australia, he has only surpassed a half-century once.
- First Test: Struggled with large boundaries in Perth; dismissed after being bounced out.
- Second Test: Missed two vital chances behind the stumps in Brisbane while facing a pink ball.
- Third Test: Managed a score of 60 in the second innings but fell to Mitchell Starc, hindering England’s run-chase.
Concerns Ahead of Upcoming Tours
Leading up to the fifth Test in Sydney, Smith was notably excluded from England’s white-ball teams for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup. Despite his record, which still reflects the second-highest batting average for a wicketkeeper who has played at least 20 Tests, doubts linger regarding his presence for the home summer.
Michael Vaughan, former captain of England, has commented on Smith’s current state, stating, “Jamie Smith is nowhere near the rhythm he should be.” He emphasized the need for the England team to learn from these experiences, critiquing the culture that has seemingly developed within the squad as a contributing factor to their struggles during the tour.
The Road Ahead
With ongoing scrutiny on Smith’s batting performance, it remains to be seen how England will address these weaknesses. The Ashes series has highlighted critical areas for improvement if they hope to reclaim their competitive edge on the international stage.
