Australia talisman Smith predicting 'belter' of an Ashes series

England head Down Under in November, for the first Ashes series since 2023.

That series was drawn, with Australia retaining the urn. Indeed, they have not lost it since they won the 2017-18 series.

But with England's exciting approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and Australia having reached the World Test Championship final earlier this year, Smith is expecting fireworks.

"It's going to be a wonderful series," Smith told BBC Sport.

"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."

Smith is Australia's fourth-highest run-scorer in the longest format.

Of his 10,477 Test runs, 3,417 have come against England – that is 1,061 more than he has managed against any other team.

And Smith also warned that England will have to become accustomed to different pitches than they are used to.

"Their batters are going to be challenged a little bit differently to the wickets they have had over in England for a while, which have looked pretty flat and good for batting," Smith said.

"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."