Australia's Steve Smith Appears to be a Masterful Batter Once More: England Should Take Caution | Coverage of Australian Cricket Team | The Guardian

There were groans of annoyance with an English accent around the Oval press box during the World Test Championship final. Steve Smith was the cause, batting in a similar fashion to his 2019 Ashes series. British journalists couldn't believe that between that series and now Smith had returned to batting like a mortal. While they could point to his stats - 28 Tests and four centuries - they weren't there to see it for themselves.

Smith's hundred at the Oval resembled those from his last visit to England, with the same determination and strike rate. During the interim, Smith changed his technique by taking guard in a more central position and staying still at the crease, which worked for him in Sri Lanka in 2022.

Smith's new technique helped him to play more aggressively through cover and increase his scoring options, particularly against the generally faster pace of South Africa. However, for the English situation, Smith's old technique has been dusted off. Its unique formation involves a wander towards square leg, tapping of pads and box, and a peculiar positioning near the off-stump.

The step across gives Smith momentum and switches him on for each delivery, while his positioning helps protect against persistent and later swing that a Dukes ball can offer. The main question is whether his play off the pads is still as airtight as it was, especially with appreciable movement from Jimmy Anderson and company.

India tried to take advantage of Smith's weaknesses at the Oval, but their plan failed, and he helped Australia to 469 runs. England will need to do more than just reach 88mph to stop Smith going back to the future in the Ashes.