Former Australian opener Simon Katich has spoken confidently about the upcoming Ashes series that will begin on November 21 in Perth. Katich, who saw the tour from a seasoned perspective, predicts that Steve Smith will top the run charts for Australia and could be the Player of the Series.
Smith is a proven match‑winner on Australian tracks. In 37 Tests against England he has already scored 3,417 runs, including 12 centuries, at an average of 56. Katich said on SEN Breakfast that Smith has the experience and skill to out‑maneuver England’s bowling attacks. “I’ve tipped Steve Smith for a big summer,” Katich stated. “England will try to target him, but he knows how to handle our conditions and will find a way past those plans.”
The former captain highlighted Smith’s recent form, noting his two half‑centuries in a tightly contested match at SCG against New South Wales, where both sides were bowled out for 120. Katich said Smith’s consistency makes him “the standout” in the lineup and that he probably will deliver the honours.
When asked about England’s top scorer, Katich turned to Joe Root, who has 39 Test centuries but has never reached a hundred on Australian soil. Katich expressed doubt about Root’s ability to break through this time. “That’s a tough one—Root still hasn’t gotten a hundred here,” he said. “I think Australia will want to see that happen and maybe even Root’s wife will think he should try.”
Katich also mentioned Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who has recently impressed with his big scores at the MCG. He suggested that Hayden could have a standout performance at Perth or the MCG, but added that whether that happens will cause a stir among both fans and critics.
With his experience, upbeat confidence, and clear view of players’ recent performances, Katich’s predictions add extra intrigue to the 2024 Ashes series. The Test match series will run through the summer, with England twice visiting Australia and two Test venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
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