Perfect preparation to annihilate England

STEVE Smith will head to England next week as the centrepiece of Australia’s Ashes plans, having shown in just two Test matches that a promotion to No.3 won’t interrupt his century-making feats.

Elevated in the batting order for the two-Test tour of the West Indies after his record-breaking 769-run series against India last summer, Smith has scored 25, 5 not out and 135 not out in the crucial first-drop role.

The 26-year-old has scored five hundreds in his past six Tests and nine in a 28-match career, a mark bettered by only four other Australians: Don Bradman (nine tons in 15 matches), Arthur Morris (19 Tests), Neil Harvey (23) and Mike Hussey (26).

Smith averaged 38.3 in the 2013 Ashes including a century at No.5 in the drawn final Test at The Oval.

Earlier that year he wasn’t even in Australia’s best XI.

Now he’s the focal point and loving the challenges that brings.

“My game has certainly changed a lot in the last two years since we’ve been back there,” Smith said.

“I’ve improved in a lot of areas. I’m just really looking forward to the challenge of playing over there.

“We’ve got this Test match to finish first and I’d really like to post a big score here in the first innings. We’ll think about that later on.”

Smith came to the crease at 1-0 on a lively Sabina Park pitch after David Warner made a third-ball duck.

Showing the patience he’ll need in English conditions against new-ball attacks, Smith worked his way through the initial danger period and went to lunch on 38.

After tea, he reached a stylish hundred off 200 balls. The right-hander struck 16 fours and two sixes.

Smith said the Duke ball, which will also be used in

Now she is on the verge of the biggest match imaginable after being named in the country’s squad for the Ashes tour to England.

Back home yesterday to assist with the launch of the high school Year 7 and 8 girls Milo T20 Blast, Beams declared she is ready to help bring the women’s urn home if she is given the opportunity.

“Being a little bit older and I certainly had to wait my turn but it’s worth the wait when you get the opportunity to play in an Ashes series away, fully televised, Test match cricket,” said Beams, who has not England, was swinging and seaming around early as Jerome Taylor (3-18 off 15 overs) proved a handful.

“I’m batting at No.3 now and that’s going to happen here and there,” Smith said.

“I guess my game’s got to be up to it, to the challenge of a new ball.”

His first-over arrival came after the Windies had chosen to bowl first.

“There was a bit in the wicket. When they bashed the wicket a little bit shorter in the first hour-and-a-half it was stopping in the wicket a little tasted defeat in national colours. “That’s the ultimate. “To be honest I was surprised to get a call-up, they are such an outstanding team and I knew it would be tough work to get into it.

“I think to then not only get in and get the opportunity but to play in an Ashes series is very special.

“Guess it shows if you stay with it long enough you never know.”

Also gearing up for the women’s Ashes series, which features one Test, three ODIs and three Twenty20s, are national captain Meg Lanning and star allrounder Ellyse Perry, who bit. That was the challenge in part, getting through that.”

Smith and Michael Clarke (47) guided Australia to 2-91 at lunch after the skipper was caught and bowled by Kemar Roach off a no-ball with his score on three.

He lost Clarke, who was caught behind to Jason Holder on 47, after a 118-run stand and Adam Voges (37) added a further 76 with Smith.

Smith was given out leg before on 109 but immediately called for a review, which showed the ball was missing leg stump. were both at Blundstone Arena alongside Beams to pass on some tips to the next generation.

Like the men’s tour, Lanning declared the UK tour the pinnacle of Australian female cricket.

“Absolutely, we have had this on the calendar for a little while now,” she said.

“They’ve played well in the last couple of series and we haven’t been able to get the win so it is a new challenge for us.

“We are looking forward to getting over there, especially touring in England, it is a great experience.”