Smith 'Feels Ready' for Ashes as Captaincy Likely Amid Cummins Injury Concerns

Steven Smith has declared himself "ready to go" for the upcoming Ashes series after returning from a break in New York and resuming training in Sydney. With current captain Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury and yet to resume bowling, Smith is expected to lead Australia in the opening Test against England.

The veteran batter had his first proper hit against bowlers since the end of The Hundred in August during a New South Wales training session at Cricket Central on Tuesday. Despite the time away, Smith said it took him just “two hits” to feel in form.

“Honestly, it takes me two hits to get sorted,” Smith said. “I feel like I'm ready to go now. I feel like I'm moving really nicely. I feel in a good place.”

Smith will feature in two Sheffield Shield matches — against Queensland at the Gabba and Victoria at the SCG — before the Ashes series begins. He credited his current form to strength training rather than overtraining with the bat.

“I've been doing a lot of lifting, trying to get a bit stronger. I did all my strength tests yesterday and they're as good as they've ever been,” he added.

Cummins, meanwhile, has not yet been officially ruled out of the first Test but remains under a fitness cloud. Smith said the skipper is still not bowling but remains optimistic about his potential return.

“He's obviously got a few things to tick off. Hopefully, he can get right — whether he plays three, five, or even two Tests — as many as we can get out of him is best for the team.”

Should he step in as captain, it would not be unfamiliar territory for Smith. He has led Australia in six Tests since Cummins became captain, winning five. His leadership has been particularly lauded on the subcontinent, and his tactical battle with England’s Ben Stokes could be a key storyline early in the series.

“It's nothing out of the ordinary. I know how the team operates,” Smith said. “If it happens, I'll look forward to it… I think the important thing is doing it my way — being authentic.”

Smith’s batting record as captain supports his readiness: he averages an impressive 68.98 when leading the side, compared to 49.90 otherwise. He previously captained Australia during the 2021-22 Ashes when Cummins missed the Adelaide Test due to a Covid-related absence — scoring 93 in the first innings.

“I feel like I go to another level and try and set a standard [when captain],” Smith reflected. “I think I've chilled out a lot over the last four or five years… I like to listen, get opinions, and then make decisions.”

If Cummins is ruled out, Australia will likely turn to Scott Boland to complete the pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Smith backed Boland as a more-than-capable replacement.

“We've got a pretty good replacement in Scott Boland, who I think is arguably one of the best bowlers in the world,” he said. “His record in Australia is outrageous. Then Starc and Hazlewood have done a wonderful job for a long time, so I don't think it disrupts too much.”

As the Ashes approach, Australia appear confident in both their leadership depth and bowling strength — with Smith ready to step up once again if needed.