Australia last won the Ashes on English soil 22 years ago. After Steve Waugh’s all-conquering team, the Ashes were rolled out five more times in England, but the Ashes could not be won by Azira and returned from the lion’s den. Finally, Tim Paine’s team returned from England with an ashtray, but the series was drawn 2-2. Australia’s best batsman of this generation, Steve Smith, is going to play the Ashes in England for the fourth time. Maybe for the last time. The 34-year-old Smith has also been very successful on English soil. Despite surpassing the rest in personal skill, he still regrets not being able to win the series. This one of the members of the Fabulous Four wants to solve their regret before the end of his career.

Determined to win the Ashes in England, Smith decided to play county cricket to prepare. Due to Kane Williamson’s injury, he got an offer to play in the IPL for Gujarat Titans. But the right-hander is giving more importance to the final of the World Test Championship and the Ashes. Smith faced the media for the first time yesterday after signing up for Sussex. He said there, the desire to win the Ashes in England is on the bucket list of his cricketing career. “To tick that (Ashes win in England) off the bucket list would be huge,” Smith said. We came so close last time. But could not cross the border.’

This may be Smith’s last chance to fulfill his wish. Will be 34 next month. The next Ashes in England is in 2027. On that day, the age will be 38. It is clear from Smith’s words that there is no possibility of him continuing cricket at that age. He said, ‘This is my fourth visit to England. Maybe this is the end. I will be 34 in less than a month. I don’t think I will be here in the next series. I have to think about it.’

Smith’s contract with Sussex is only for this month. The final of the World Test Championship will begin on June 7. The first Test of the Ashes will then begin at Edgbaston on June 16. Australia will, however, rely heavily on Smith’s bat to do well in the all-important England tour. Smith’s batting average of 65.08 in 14 Ashes Tests played in England. He is also the highest run-scorer in the last two Ashes in the country of the Three Lions. He made a comeback with this Ashes series in 2019 after being punished for ball tampering. And Smith made a comeback after becoming the highest run scorer by scoring 774 runs in 4 Tests.