New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) Stuart Broad has acknowledged that he remains perplexed by how to dismiss Steve Smith, cautioning that the Ashes could evolve into a “prolonged series” for England if they do not manage to eliminate Australia’s top batsman early.

During an episode of the For the Love of Cricket podcast, the retired England bowler was candid about the dilemma Smith continues to present. “I recall he scored a massive double hundred (239 in Perth in 2017) and I didn’t miss the center of his bat for three days,” Broad said. “Every delivery I bowled just found the middle of his bat.”

At 36, Smith is still one of the most accomplished Test batsmen in contemporary cricket, boasting an average of 56.01 in Ashes matches with 12 centuries to his name. His performances have significantly influenced several series, notably the 2017-18 and 2019 editions where he amassed 687 and 774 runs respectively. Although Broad has dismissed him 11 times in Tests—more than any other bowler—he admits he still cannot pinpoint a definitive strategy to get him out. “Certainly (Smith’s) technique has evolved over time, but I still can’t say ‘this is how to dismiss him’,” he confessed. “That’s an incredible asset of his. He’s exceptionally challenging to bowl to. At times, you don’t feel like you’ve bowled poorly, yet it still goes for four.”

Smith’s career average of 56.02 rises to 59.70 when playing at home, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge facing England. Only Ricky Ponting (41) has more Test centuries for Australia than Smith’s 36.

While his form dipped between June 2023 and December 2024, during which he went 23 innings without a century, he regained his form with two centuries against India last winter and followed up with double centuries—141 and 131—against Sri Lanka in early 2025. After a two-month hiatus, he kicked off his Ashes preparations in late October with an impressive 118.

Broad is convinced that England must significantly limit Smith’s scoring to maintain their chances. “To win the series, we need to keep his average below 50, right?” he remarked. “He’s going to score a century; it’s what he does. (If) he averages 40, that’s at least 15 below his career average, so you’re doing really well. I think you need to get him out early. If England isn’t celebrating in his first 40 runs, it’s going to be a drawn-out series.”

Over 14 years of Ashes encounters, England has employed various strategies to counter Smith’s unconventional technique—targeting his stumps, pitching wide of off stump, utilizing leg-gully traps, and crafting specific deliveries. Broad recounted one such strategy from 2019. “I remember Jason Roy was fielding at leg gully, diving left and right for the first 30 balls, just missing him there, just missing him there. Smith eventually got away and scored two centuries in that match—unbelievable innings.”

As the next showdown approaches, England’s prospects may hinge on Jofra Archer, who faces Smith in Tests for the first time since his fiery 2019 spell at Lord’s, during which a bouncer incapacitated the Australian. Smith later clarified that Archer didn’t dismiss him—he retired hurt and was out lbw to Chris Woakes—although Archer did get him out in an ODI in 2024. Broad wonders if the speedster could once again pose a challenge to Smith.

“Could Jofra Archer be that player? Nicking him off from a back of a length, just chasing it,” he stated. “Because Jofra has that angle of nipping back towards the stumps, can he get one to nip away? Smith is on the lookout for the nip-backer.”