Steve Smith clapped back at Stuart Broad’s pre-Ashes prank (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England, veteran batsman Steve Smith reacted with humor to Stuart Broad’s recent comments, smilingly saying that this may indeed be their “worst team since 2010”. “It’s our worst team, obviously since 2010, that’s mail anyway,” laughed Smith, referring to the former England pacer’s remarks, as quoted by Fox Cricket. The Ashes series begins on November 21 at the Perth Stadium and as the familiar pre-series banter returned, Smith seemed unfazed by the verbal “attacks”. “Obviously there was back and forth and a lot of banter, which I don’t really like to be involved in,” he said, choosing to focus on the cricket rather than the chatter. Broad recently claimed on his podcast “For The Love Of Cricket” that they are the “worst Australian team since 2010”, while describing the current England team as “the best England team since 2010”, a reference to England’s last Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the 2010–11 series. However, Smith took a broader view of both teams’ recent form. “It’s going to be a wonderful series. I think England are a really good side at the moment,” he said. He also highlighted Australia’s consistency over the past few years, highlighting their performance in major Test events. “Especially in the last three or four years we’ve been a really good team when we’ve made two Test Championship finals,” Smith added.
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As both teams prepared for the next chapter in one of cricket’s oldest rivalries, Smith’s calm and composed response summed up Australia’s mindset heading into Perth. “It’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait,” he said, sending a strong message ahead of the series.
