London Defender

The Daily Mirror of the Great Britain

The Ashes: Steve Smith blames ‘bowler-friendly wickets’ for his lack of runs in strange series

There aren’t many thoughts right now that could add to England’s gloom ahead of tonight’s fourth Ashes Test at Sydney. But the fact that Australia have raced into a 3-0 lead without regular runs from Steve Smith may be near the top of the list.

So central has he been to recent Ashes narratives that his series haul of 127 runs at 31 has felt like a disturbance of the natural order. Draw up a combined XI on the basis of events at Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, and Smith might even be carrying the drinks.

After being bowled by Jimmy Anderson for 16 at the MCG, he found himself fourth in the ICC’s Test rankings – a triumph by most standards, but his lowest position for six years.

Steve Smith has admitted that he has struggled to find his 'rhythm' during this winter's Ashes

Steve Smith has admitted that he has struggled to find his ‘rhythm’ during this winter’s Ashes

The former Australia captain has not made a century and was bowled out for 16 in Melbourne

The former Australia captain has not made a century and was bowled out for 16 in Melbourne

And while his record in this series is better than all of England’s batsmen bar Joe Root and Dawid Malan, it is dwarfed by his contributions to the most recent two Ashes. 

During the 2-2 draw in 2019, he made 774 runs at 110. And when Australia won 4-0 four years ago, it was 687 at 137. Even in 2015, when England won 3-2, Smith managed a double-hundred at Lord’s and 143 at The Oval.

In all, the previous three series against England brought him eight hundreds. This time, he has managed a best of 93 at Adelaide and very little elsewhere.

In fact, it’s possible his most newsworthy contribution has been to get stuck in a lift for 55 minutes at the hotel the teams shared in Melbourne – longer, it was noted, than any England batsman, except Root, spent at the crease during their second-innings 68.

It's possible his most newsworthy contribution came when he was stuck in a lift in Melbourne

He spent 55 minutes trapped, more than any England player at the crease apart from Joe Root

It’s possible his most newsworthy contribution came when he was stuck in a lift in Melbourne

‘I think we’ve played on some pretty bowler-friendly wickets in the first three Tests,’ said Smith. ‘It’s been difficult getting rhythm out in the middle. I’ve never really felt in, and they’ve bowled well at certain times.

‘It’s about trying to find as much rhythm as you can, hang in there for as long as possible, defending really well, leaving well, pouncing on anything loose. Hopefully this week I can spend a lot of time out there, get a big one and help us continue to have success.’

To add to England’s list of sobering thoughts, Smith has come to the right place in search of big runs. Born in Kogarah, a 25-minute drive from the SCG, he has always risen to the challenge presented by his home ground: it’s seven years since a Test bowler dismissed him here for under 50.

‘I always love playing here at the SCG,’ he said. ‘It’s home for me.’ Ominously, perhaps, he added: ‘It’s been a little while since I’ve scored a hundred.’

His relative lack of runs has not gone unnoticed in the Australian media, though his average of 40 since the pandemic was declared feels like the cricketing equivalent of a first-world problem. What might England give for such a headache?

Smith is hoping that his return to his home ground in Sydney will bring a return to form

Smith is hoping that his return to his home ground in Sydney will bring a return to form

But his good friend and fellow eccentric Marnus Labuschagne has edged ahead of him as the Australian wicket Joe Root craves most. And Smith showed vulnerability outside off stump at Brisbane, where Mark Wood had him caught behind for 12, and in the second innings at Adelaide, where he was dropped first ball by Jos Buttler off Stuart Broad.

For now, he has stripped his approach back to its basics as he looks to help ease Australia’s path to the whitewash that many here consider inevitable.

‘We know your first 20 balls are your most vulnerable,’ he said. ‘Any net I have, I’m focused on those first 20 balls and ensuring I do everything I can to get through them and get into my innings.’

England have done well so far to reduce Smith to a subplot. The trouble is, centre stage at the SCG is one of his career motifs – and the story of this Ashes is yet to be written in full.