Calm Smith Confident Australia Can Recover If Perth Test Goes Awry

Australian stand-in captain Steven Smith projected a calm, measured presence on the eve of the home Ashes series, despite an unusually unsettled build-up for his side.

Sitting before a large media contingent in Perth, Smith acknowledged that the circumstances were far from ideal. Australia enter the opening Test without two of their premier fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, marking the first time since 2022 that both have missed a home Test. The team will also debut Brendan Doggett and Jake Weatherald—Australia’s first dual debut in a Test since 2019—and field a seventh opening partner for Usman Khawaja in just 16 Tests.

Australia Not Treating Perth as Must-Win

Externally, the belief is widespread that England need a win in Perth to gain any foothold in the series. But inside the Australian camp, Smith insisted there is no sense of panic.

“I think you want to try and win the first Test and get yourself ahead,” Smith said on Thursday. “But… we lost the first Test last summer and were able to claw it back. We’ve got a lot of belief in that change room. If the result doesn’t go our way this week, we can turn it around.”

Smith noted that Cummins is a strong chance to return for the second Test, while Hazlewood remains a wait-and-see proposition.

Lessons Learned After 2023 Perth Wake-Up Call

Australia’s preparations this time have been far more rigorous than last year, when a heavy defeat to India in Perth was followed by an internal realisation that the squad had been undercooked.

Every squad member except Khawaja has participated in the most recent Sheffield Shield round, and all but Travis Head and Mitchell Starc have played at least two first-class matches in the past month. Even the customary pre-series golf has been reduced compared to previous years.

Ashes Hype High, but Australia Remain Unfazed

Though media attention has reached new heights, Smith—entering his ninth Ashes series and fifth at home—described the noise as “pretty standard”.

“For us, it’s about ignoring the outside noise and concentrating on our processes,” he said. “Everyone’s been raring to go.”

Australia have kept tight control over internal information, with no squad or XI leaks prior to Thursday—an achievement given the close selection calls.

Bazball Not a Distraction

While much of the public debate has centred on how England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach will translate to Australian conditions, Smith downplayed any suggestion that it has unsettled the squad.

“There’s going to be periods where a few of their batters get off and score quickly,” he said. “For us, it might be about being a bit defensive at times, and then finding moments to attack. It’s just about playing the game in front of us.”

Prepared for Whatever Comes

Australia begin the series with as many question marks as England, but Smith emphasised that the team is relaxed and ready—even if the opening match turns stormy.

Reinforcements appear imminent, with Cummins looking sharp in the nets. For now, Smith’s message is clear: Australia will stick to their processes, stay composed, and trust their ability to recover no matter what unfolds in Perth.