David Warner threatens Ben Stokes & Co. ahead of Ashes

Former Australia National cricket team opener David Warner has backed modern-day batsman Steve Smith to shine in the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series against the England National Cricket Team.

David Warner has said that Ben Stokes’ England will be in big trouble if Steve Smith scores with the bat in the high-voltage Test series.

Steve Smith smashes a brilliant century

Arch-rivals England and Australia are gearing up for the Ashes series, which is scheduled to start in November. Optus Stadium in Perth will host the first match from November 21-25, and the second Test will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4-8.

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The third Test will be hosted by Adelaide Oval from December 17-21, and the fourth Test will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will also host the fifth Test from January 4-8, 2026.

Steve Smith is ready to lead the Australians in the opening match of the Test series as Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the match as he continues his recovery from injury.

Ahead of the series, Smith will play some Sheffield Shield matches for NSW to prepare him for the tough series.

In his first match in over two months, he initially looked nervous, but was soon back to his best and slammed a sensational century. He sent a massive warning to England by scoring 118 for New South Wales against Queensland.

If Smith hits the big time and starts scoring goals, it will be a challenge for England – David Warner

Speaking on Fox Cricket on Wednesday, David Warner said Australia will be relying heavily on Steve Smith in the series and if he scores consistently, they will be fine.

“If this guy Steve Smith can score big runs (this summer), they’ll be OK. If Smith succeeds and starts scoring goals, it will be a challenge for England.”

David Warner also backed Steve Smith to score five tons in the Ashes and did not hesitate to say that he trails only Don Bradman in the list of greatest Australian batsmen. He said:

“I think he’s got five centuries. He only had one (network session) that day and he came out and scored a hundred today; that’s Steve Smith.”

The only thing missing from him is a win in India – David Warner

Warner also said that the one thing Smith has not been able to do in his legendary career is win a Test series in India and he may be looking forward to achieving that. He said:

“The only thing missing from him is a win in India. He knows his body now, he knows what he can do – if he wants to get to that Indian series, he will.”

“He’s still learning. And if he’s still learning, God help everyone,” Warner said.

Meanwhile, former India coach Ravi Shastri said that Smith also left him amazed with his exceptional adaptability. He said:

“What has always amazed me about Steve…is his ability to adapt to different conditions and improvise, even in the middle of a series, sometimes in the middle of an innings. (The captain) will get the best out of him, that’s for sure. He will definitely be caught.”

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