Steve Smith mocks England's Bazball U-Turn against India; fires Ashes warning

With the next Ashes battle six months away in Australia, Steve Smith has turned up the heat already by firing a fierce warning to England about the brutal challenge that awaits them. The much-awaited Ashes 2025 series kicks off on November 21 in Perth, and anticipation is soaring, especially after the unforgettable 2023 Ashes ended in a draw.

England last won the Ashes in 2015, so they will be desperate to end the drought later this year. But Smith, one of Australia’s most dangerous weapons with the bat and a master of the mind games, said that the pitches in Australia have become far more unforgiving in recent years.

Steve Smith begins mind games for Ashes 2025

Smith said that the pitches in Australia are no more batter-friendly and flat than the surfaces that England is used to at home. The right-handed batter hinted that batting in Australia is no walk in the park anymore, especially for top-order players, as conditions have become tougher and trickier.

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With raw pace, bounce, and seam movement, the former captain said that the Aussie pitches will expose England’s every weakness in the upcoming Ashes series. Smith also predicted that this year’s Ashes will be an absolute belter for both the fans and players.

It's going to be a wonderful series: Steve Smith

Steve Smith was quoted as saying by BBC Sport: “Their batters are going to be challenged a little bit differently by the wickets they have had over in England for a while, which have looked pretty flat and good for batting. The wickets in Australia in the last three or four years have been very tricky for top-order batters. It is going to be a good challenge for them.”

The Aussie icon continued, “But it's going to be a wonderful series. I have been watching the India and England series, and there has been some great cricket played there, so I think the Ashes this year is going to be an absolute belter.”

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Steve Smith mocks England for ditching ‘Entertainment First’ approach

Meanwhile, Steve Smith has taken a sharp dig at England’s fading Bazball boldness. He pointed out that, unlike in 2023, England has moved away from their all-out attacking style under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in the ongoing five-match Test series against India at home.

He mentioned how England are now playing to win rather than just entertain; that is something opposite of their past bold claims that they are only focusing on fearless batting, bold declarations, and entertaining play ever since Stokes and McCullum took over as Test captain and head coach.

Smith signed off by saying, “They have started to play a little bit differently in the last couple of weeks in terms of playing the situation, as opposed to going out and trying to be the entertainers that they said they wanted to be. They are actually trying to win the games now, which is perhaps different from what was said in their comments previously.”

Steve Smith thinks England have changed their style under Ben Stokes... and has sent them a warning about this year's Ashes ⚠️

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— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 24, 2025