LONDON — England's enduring Ashes torment, Steve Smith, continues to baffle their premier bowlers, with Stuart Broad admitting he still has no definitive plan to dismiss the Australian batting maestro. Broad, England's second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time, conceded that finding a way to remove Smith early will be pivotal if England are to regain the urn in the upcoming series.
"I still don't know how to get Steve Smith out," Broad stated in a candid interview. "He's a fantastic, world-class player and he's been a great overseas batter in England. He's got a record in England that's arguably better than it is in Australia, which is rare for an overseas player. If we can't dismiss him early, it's going to be a long series for us."
A Persistent Thorn in England's Side
Smith's record against England, particularly on their home soil, is the stuff of legend and English nightmares. Across four Ashes tours, he has amassed 1,176 runs at a staggering average of 65.33. His performances in the 2019 series, where he scored 774 runs in just seven innings after returning from his ban, single-handedly ensured Australia retained the Ashes. For Broad, who has dismissed Smith seven times in Test cricket—more than any other bowler—the puzzle remains unsolved.
"You look at his technique and you think, 'Well, that shouldn't work,'" Broad mused. "But his hand-eye coordination is so incredible, his concentration levels are so high, and he's so fidgety at the crease that he just finds a way. He plays the ball so late, which makes him so difficult to bowl to. You can have a plan, you can set a field, and he'll just hit it somewhere else."
Dissecting the Smith Conundrum
So, what makes Smith so uniquely difficult to dislodge? Broad and other analysts point to a combination of unorthodox technique and immense mental fortitude. Unlike batters with a classical, textbook method, Smith's initial movement across his stumps and high backlift create a constantly shifting set of challenges for the bowler. The traditional corridor of uncertainty becomes a moving target.
Broad elaborated on the specific challenges, breaking them down into key areas that bowlers must contend with:
- Unpredictable Movement: His constant shuffling and fidgeting make it difficult to pinpoint where his off-stump is at any given moment.
- Late Decision Making: Smith plays the ball later than almost any other top-level batter, allowing him to adjust to swing, seam, and bounce.
- Unorthodox Scoring Areas: He consistently scores runs in areas that fielding captains don't traditionally protect for a number three batter.
- Relentless Concentration: His ability to switch on and maintain focus for entire sessions, and even days, is unparalleled in the modern game.
The Psychological Battle
Beyond the technical quirks, Broad emphasized the mental warfare involved in bowling to Smith. He recalled a specific instance from a past series where he thought he had the perfect plan, only for Smith to dismantle it. "We once set a field with three men back on the leg-side, bowling bouncers, and he just kept fending it off, dropping it at his feet, or evading it completely. He was in complete control."
This psychological resilience means that even when England creates a half-chance, Smith rarely offers a second opportunity. "He just doesn't give you a window," Broad said. "With other world-class players, you feel like if you execute your plan for long enough, a chance will come. With Smith, you can execute for an hour and he's just sitting there, 40 not out, barely having broken a sweat."
England's Potential Strategies
While Broad admits there is no magic bullet, he suggested that a multi-pronged attack, relentlessly executed, is England's only hope. This would likely involve:
- Full and Straight Early: Testing his movement across the crease with full-pitched deliveries targeting the stumps and pads.
- The Fourth/Fifth Stump Line: Bowling a consistent line just outside off-stump, forcing him to play away from his body, with a packed off-side field.
- Bodyline Tactics: Using short-pitched bowling with leg-side catchers to disrupt his rhythm and score-flow.
- Patience Above All: Accepting that he will score runs and focusing on building pressure from both ends to force a mistake.
The role of England's new-look spin attack, likely led by Jack Leach or a newcomer, will also be crucial. Smith has historically been dominant against spin, but England will hope that variable bounce and turn on home pitches can create opportunities that pace alone cannot. "You have to try and change it up," Broad noted. "But the most important thing is to not get frustrated. He feeds on that."
A Long Series Without Early Breakthroughs
Broad's warning that the Ashes will be a "long series" if Smith isn't dismissed early is rooted in recent history. In 2019, Smith's presence at the crease drained England's bowling attack, allowing the Australian middle and lower order to play with more freedom. His ability to bat for long periods demoralizes the opposition and grinds down the bowling resources.
"He's the glue that holds their batting together," Broad explained. "If you get Smith early, you feel like you're into their bowling all-rounders that bit quicker. But if he's there at 100 for 2, he can take them to 400 for 4 almost on his own. That's the difference he makes. It's not just the runs; it's the time, the pressure, the momentum."
As England finalizes their preparations, the "Steve Smith Problem" remains the single biggest tactical question. Stuart Broad, a veteran of 167 Tests, has laid bare the challenge. There is no easy answer, no hidden weakness to exploit. The quest to solve cricket's most complex puzzle will define the fate of the Ashes, and for now, even England's most experienced warrior admits he's still searching for the solution.