Smith stirs Ashes hostility with claim England won’t come close
AUSTRALIA batsman Steven Smith has started the war of words over this summer’s Ashes, insisting England will not “come close to us” if his side fulfil their potential.
England’s focus is currently in the Caribbean, where they have a 1-0 series lead heading into tomorrow’s third and final Test against the West Indies.
But with the old enemy looming in the summer, it is never too early for warning shots to be fired. And Smith, who played his part in the 5-0 whitewash of 2013/14, has taken aim first.
“I can’t wait to get over there and play another Ashes against England in their conditions after beating them so convincingly in Australia,” Smith told Espncricinfo.
“It’s going to be nice to go in their backyard. If we continue to play the way we have been playing over the last 12-18 months, I don’t think that they’ll come close to us to be honest.”
Shane Watson, who is currently representing IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals alongside Smith, was more measured but was also looking forward to battling once again for the urn.
“There is a huge hunger within the group because we know that we haven’t won in England for the last three series (2005, 2009 and 2013),” he added. “I’ve been involved in two of those. There’s a big burning desire to be involved in an Ashes winning campaign in England.”
England, meanwhile, yesterday had their first net session in Barbados since sealing a ninewicket success in Grenada.
There is intrigue over whether head coach Peter Moores will be tempted to change a winning team, with Adam Lyth casting covetous glances at Jonathan Trott’s opening slot and Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood pushing Bajan native Chris Jordan hard for the third seam position.
Any of those players who are not selected tomorrow could be packing their bags for Dublin.
The ECB has named a callow 11-man squad to play Ireland on 8 May, including six players who have yet to make ODI debuts, but additions to the squad will be made from those who do not make the XI in Grenada.
James Vince, Sam Billings, Lewis Gregory, David Willey, Jason Roy and Zafar Ansari will all be hoping to start their oneday careers against the Irish.