Overview
- Smith said in mid‑August that the last six to nine months have been challenging but he is determined to improve and thrive for England.
- Early promise has given way to a visible dip in numbers: he averaged close to 60 after 12 Tests but his average now sits just under 40 across 22 Tests and he originally reached 1,000 Test runs in 21 innings.
- Smith attracted sharp criticism for a dismissal to Marnus Labuschagne during the Ashes but returned from paternity leave to score 60 at Trent Bridge, a performance he hopes to build on.
- He is working with England fielding coach Sarah Taylor and says his glovework has improved while remaining a longer‑term project, and he has credited former coach Brendon McCullum for earlier confidence behind the stumps.
- England begin a three‑Test series against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday, August 19, which offers Smith a sustained run to rebuild form and serves as an early examination of the team’s direction after the Bazball era.