Steve Smith declares himself 'ready to go' for Ashes battle against England

Steve Smith declares himself 'ready to go' for Ashes battle against England

The experienced middle-order batter last had time out in the middle in August when he played for Welsh Fire in the Hundred, while his last Test match was against West Indies in Jamaica in July.

The 36-year-old will play two first-class games for New South Wales - against Queensland at the Gabba and Victoria at the SCG - before the first Test against England that begins on 21 November in Perth.

"Honestly, it takes me two hits to get sorted," Smith said. "I feel like I'm ready to go now. I feel like I'm moving really nicely. I feel in a good place.

"I've been training quite hard. I've been doing a lot of lifting, trying to get a bit stronger. And I did all my strength tests yesterday and they're all as good as they've ever been. So I feel like I'm going good."

Smith is likely to stand-in as Australia captain for at least the opening Test with Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury.

"Things can turn around pretty quickly so we'll see where everything lands with him," Smith said.

"He's obviously got a few things to tick off and get into his bowling, but he was in good spirits and the team's obviously better with him in it for sure.

"Hopefully he can get right and if he plays three Tests or five Tests or two Tests, as many as we can get out of him, it's the best for the team."

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