‘Just Two Hits’ – Steve Smith Confident and Ready for Ashes Challenge

The star Australian batter, Steve Smith, is confident that he will get his form before the Ashes. He is currently planning to feature in the Sheffield Shield matches, where he will get plenty of game time against high-quality pace attacks. The batter will represent New South Wales in the domestic matches, which will also feature other well-known players like Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and others.

Steve Smith will feature in two Sheffield Shield matches. The first one will be against Queensland at the Gabba, while the second will be against Victoria at the SCG. These matches will help Smith to prepare for the blockbuster Australian summer featuring the Ashes.

The batter is confident that he is ready to go against England with full fitness. He said that getting a few sessions in the nets is enough for him to get sorted. He added that the current training sessions in the gym and the fitness tests have shown that his body is still in good shape to take on the Ashes challenge.

"Honestly, it takes me two hits to get sorted. I feel like I'm ready to go now. I feel like I'm moving really nicely. I feel in a good place. I've been training quite hard. I've been doing a lot of lifting, trying to get a bit stronger. And I did all my strength tests yesterday, and they're all as good as they've ever been. So I feel like I'm going good," said Steve Smith while talking to the reporters.

Speaking about Pat Cummins, Smith said that the bowler still needs some training sessions to get fully fit. He didn’t comment on the exact number of matches Cummins will play; however, he said that having him in the team will definitely boost the chances of the Aussies.

"He's obviously got a few things to tick off and get into his bowling, but he was in good spirits, and the team's obviously better with him in it for sure. Hopefully he can get right, and if he plays three Tests or five Tests or two Tests, as many as we can get out of him, it's the best for the team," said Steve Smith.

It should be noted that Smith is being considered as an alternate captain if Cummins does not get fit in time for the Ashes. The batter is well aware of this fact, and he is looking forward to this challenge confidently.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary. I know how the team operates. We're in a good place. So if it happens, I'll look forward to it. I think the important thing is doing it my way. I think when I get out on the field, I've got a certain style and the way I like to do things, and I need to be authentic,” said Steve Smith.

The good thing about the Star Australian batter is that he never takes the pressure of captaincy while batting in the middle. Due to this, his performance as a batter has always been exemplary, giving the team a strong option in both the leadership and batting departments.

"It's interesting how the brain works, I suppose. I feel like I kind of go to another level and try to set a standard. I think I've chilled out a lot over the last probably four or five years, just a bit more relaxed out in the middle and maybe not as cranky at times. I like to listen to people, get their opinions, and then obviously make a decision when I'm in charge," said Steve Smith.

The Ashes is slated to start next November, and Australia is still searching for some answers. The biggest question is about Pat Cummins, as he is still uncertain for the first test at Perth. If he isn’t declared fit, Steve Smith will take the captaincy reins, as he is the most experienced and creative brain in the team.