Steve Smith Reflects on Early Test Career

In an exclusive interview, Australian vice-captain Steve Smith admitted he “probably wasn’t quite ready” for Test cricket when he was thrust into the Ashes heat 15 years ago.

Speaking with Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard, the 36-year-old discussed the highs and lows of his remarkable career, touching on the 2019 Ashes series and the Cape Town ball-tampering incident.

Toughest Times on the Field

When asked about his “toughest time on the field” during an Ashes match, Smith highlighted the 2010/11 series when England secured the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in decades.

At that point, the New South Welshman had only two Test caps to his name and scored 159 runs at an average of 31.80, with a notable fifty in a losing effort at the SCG. “England had a really good side at that point,” he recalled.

Finding His Place

Smith noted that he was just beginning his international career, playing in only his third, fourth, and fifth Test matches. “I was young, batting down the order and trying to find my way,” he said. “That was tricky, and I probably wasn’t quite ready at that stage either.”

Managing Expectations

Over the last 12 years, Smith has amassed 10,218 Test runs at an impressive average of 57.40, including 36 centuries. However, he admitted that the “weight of expectation” can add pressure. “Sometimes the bigger and better you get, the more you’re expected to do well,” he explained.

Learning from Mistakes

Smith shared an example from last summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, where he was dismissed by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. He recalled, “I remember quite a lot of people actually saying, ‘Geez, look at the position Steve’s in here.’” He reflected on the delivery’s trajectory, indicating that even top players face incredible challenges.

Preparing for the Upcoming Series

The first Ashes Test between Australia and England is set to take place at Perth Stadium on November 21. Smith humorously noted, “It’s our worst team, obviously, since 2010,” referencing Stuart Broad’s remarks. Despite the back-and-forth banter, Smith expressed excitement for the upcoming series, stating, “It’s going to be a wonderful series.”