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Stuart Broad has confessed that he still lacks an effective strategy to dismiss Steve Smith and warns that the historic series could become a drawn-out contest if England doesn't get the batter quickly.

Smith's Remarkable Career

Steve Smith, regarded as among the best contemporary cricketers, holds an outstanding average of 56.01 in Ashes cricket with 12 tons to his name.

The right-handed batsman, having played in all Ashes contests since the 2010-11 season, was the top scorer during both the 2017-18 and 2019 matches, scoring 774 and 687 runs respectively while the English bowler was playing for England.

Facing Smith's Batting

"It's vivid in my memory when he made that substantial innings in the 2017 Perth match and every delivery seemed to hit the sweet spot for three consecutive days," Broad commented on a sports program.

"Each ball I tried ended up meeting the center of his blade."

"He possesses that particular mindset of the wicket works for me, and I plan to stay at the crease'."

Record-Breaking Performance

Broad got the better of the batsman on 11 occasions in the longest format - surpassing other bowlers - yet confesses he still doesn't know a reliable method.

Smith's career average of just over 56 rises to 59.70 when playing at home. Solely the great the Australian legend with 41 tons has scored more than his 36 test centuries for Australia.

Technical Challenges

The bowler explained: "Naturally Smith's approach has changed throughout his career, but I continue to struggle to confidently state this approach works to dismiss him."

"It shows a remarkable quality of his. He's incredibly challenging to face. At times you feel that you haven't bowled an weak offering and it still races to the boundary."

Recent Form and Preparation

The batsman's form experienced a slight decline between mid-2023 to late 2024 when he experienced 23 appearances unable to make a ton, but he returned to form with two centuries against India last winter and added 131 and 141 runs against Sri Lanka at the beginning of 2025.

Following a 60-day pause, he commenced his training for the England-Australia contest in October's final weeks and quickly registered 118 in his comeback match.

Game Plan

"For series victory, it's essential to contain his output to less than 50, isn't that true?" Broad questioned.

"He will score a hundred, that's what he does."

"If he averages forty, that would be at least 15 below his career average, so you're doing brilliantly. In my opinion it's crucial to dismiss him before he settles."

"Unless England fail to achieve his dismissal within his first 40 runs, it's going to be a long series."

Evolution of Tactics

England has tried various plans to counter Smith's unconventional approach throughout 14 years of Ashes contests.

The bowler mentioned developing a new outswinger specifically for Smith before last year's contest, while England has targeted Smith's leg-side, pitched away from the off-side and even attempted the close-in leg-side field during 2019 - a series that Smith started with two consecutive tons at the Birmingham ground.

Memorable Moments

"It comes to mind when the English fielder was fielding at leg gully, and he was diving left and right for the initial thirty balls, barely failing to catch on several occasions," Broad described.

"Smith got away, made two hundreds in that match, unbelievable innings."

Broad further stated: "I remember attending a strategy session about Steve Smith in 2017-18 and they suggested maybe we can test going for the base of the stumps early'}."

"'Oh really, let's verify how many times his stumps have been hit in Australian conditions during recent years?' A single instance."

Archer's Potential Impact

The upcoming series, beginning in the Western Australian city (specific timing), will probably involve the batsman confronting the English fast bowler for their initial test meeting since that year, when he was famously troubled and hit by a short ball during the fast bowler's intense over at Lord's.

Smith has consistently emphasized that Archer did not dismiss him in that match - he temporarily retired and was dismissed lbw to Chris Woakes upon coming back - though Archer eventually got to dismiss him on a horizontal bat in an ODI during 2024.

"Is Archer capable be that solution?" the bowler questioned. "Getting him to edge from that specific line, just chasing it."

"Given that the bowler maintains that line of curving into the wickets, can he deliver an outgoing delivery? The batsman expects the delivery coming in."