Australian batsman Steve Smith returns to Edgbaston for first Test against England

Steve Smith has achieved much in England, but wants to do what no Australian side has done since 2001 … win an Ashes series on foreign soil.

Steve Smith celebrates his century on the fourth day of the first Ashes cricket Test match against England at Edgbaston in 2019. Picture: AFP

Back in Edgbaston where his career recommenced in 2019, Steve Smith says he doesn’t remember much of the crowd during those innings, but he does remember batting there and he considers his centuries in those innings as the best performances of his 97 Test career.

The English fans, particularly the Hollies Stand, was brutal and vindictive toward Smith, Warner and to a lesser extent Cameron Bancroft in that match.

English players and commentators have moaned for years about the abuse they receive from Australian fans, but rarely has any team, or trio, been subjected to such a relentless assault.

The gathered around the team bus as the players arrived in the morning and followed it as it inched its way through the traffic on the way home, braying and jeering and trying to get under the skin of the trio who were all playing their first Test on return from suspension.

Warner won over the Hollies stand to some degree, turning out his pockets and mugging for the crowd as they asked him where the sandpaper was.

David Warner of Australia shows the crowd his empty pockets during day three of the 1st Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston in August 2019. Picture: Getty Images

Scenes from The Test documentary showed the players in fits of laughter at the antics of the fans on the street, which is probably a good thing.

Laughing along seemed to work for the players.

The mood ahead of Friday’s first match is more relaxed than four years before.

“That Test is probably the favourite from my career so far, given the circumstances and the importance of a first Ashes Test, particularly away from home,” said the former Australia captain who is preparing for his 33rd Test against England.

“Coming back here I‘ve got some wonderful memories, some things I can draw on.

“I know it’s a new series – you go to different grounds around the world that you’ve done well at and you can take some positives out of those [memories] and move forward with them, but ultimately it’s another game.”

Smith has achieved much on his tours of the UK, including a double century at Lord’s in 2015 and another in Manchester after the fog of concussion cleared in 2019.

He was so good on that last series he eventually silenced the crowds,

He has, however, not won an Ashes here.

“It‘s certainly something I have wanted to tick off my bucket list,” said the 34-year-old.

“I know it‘s the same for a lot of the other boys in the room. We’ll give it a good hot crack the next few months and it should be a great series.”

As good as he was in 2019 – when he averaged more than 110 – Smith believes, or hopes, his game has improved.

Steve Smith leaves the field after being dismissed for 142 on day four of the first Ashes Test against England in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

“I hope I’m better,” Smith said. “I strive every day to be better so I hope that I’m a better player. I think my Ashes series before that back home (in 2017-18, when he averaged 137) was reasonable as well so I’ve had a couple of good ones. It would be nice to repeat it, but I’m just going to go out there and go through my routines and do what I need to do. Hopefully I can score some runs and help the team out.”

England has picked its side for the first Ashes and surprised no one while Australia continues to mull over its bowling attack, with Josh Hazlewood looking good in the nets and potentially destined for a berth in the XI.

There is some feeling around the camp they will go with the three right arm pacemen – four if you include Cameron Green in that – and leave our Mitchell Starc.

It does make for a homogenous attack but it would echo the philosophy of 2019 that saw the left arm Starc as too expensive for English conditions.

It would be a blow for the bowler who went home from that tour having played one Test match, worked hared and emerged a much, much better bowler for it.

Australia looks a better attack with Starc in it.