Steve Smith Can't Wait for The Ashes 2019 to Begin; Australia Batsman Looks Relaxed in Net Session at Edgbaston (See Pic)

Steve Smith was all smiles and looked relaxed as Australia prepare to face England in the first of the five-match Ashes Test series. The first Test of Ashes 2019 will be played at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham and is scheduled to start on August 3. Smith, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, is making his return to the Australia Test team after serving a year ban for his role in masterminding the sandpaper gate incident in March 2018. He is expected to be included in the playing XI when Australia take the field against England. Ashes 2019: Australian Team Mentor Steve Waugh Backs Steve Smith, Says 'He'll Find a Way to Deal With Negative Comments From English Crowd.'

Smith showed good form during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and was Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in CWC 2019. Australia were knocked out by England in the semi-finals at this very ground where they play England in the first Ashes 2019 Test. Despite being banned for a year, Smith is still ranked fourth in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen and is only behind Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Chesteswar Pujara. Ashes 2019 1st Test Match Preview: England Hold Edge Against Australia in Series Opener at Edgbaston.

Steve Smith is Ready for The Ashes

"All smiles! Can’t wait to walk out and compete in The Ashes" said Smith in a post on Instagram just a day before The Ashes 2019 kick-started. He is expected to come out in his favoured number 4 batting position at Edgbaston. He was reported to have been practising hard in the training sessions and was pictured spending extended time at the nets during Australia’s session at Birmingham.

Meanwhile, Australia are the defending Ashes champions having won it by a 4-0 margin in the Australian summer last year. They also lead England 33-32 on series head-to-head records. England though triumphed the Ashes 3-2 when it was held on their turf and are the current ODI World Champions. They beat New Zealand under dramatic circumstances in CWC 2019 final to clinch their maiden World Cup title.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 08:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).