Overview
- Pat Cummins remains in recovery from a lower back injury as the November 21 Ashes opener in Perth approaches.
- Smith resumed training after a break in New York and said it takes him “two hits” to feel match ready.
- He has retired from ODIs and is focusing exclusively on Test cricket to better manage his workload.
- Smith acknowledged he gets mentally drained faster than earlier in his career and is reducing long net sessions to stay sharp.
- He said stand-in captaincy feels easier than his 2013–2017 full-time stint and declined to speculate on playing the 2027 Ashes.