England Test captain Ben Stokes has lauded Steve Smith and Joe Root as the greatest batters of their generation, ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series opener in Perth. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Stokes emphasized the challenge of containing Smith, who continues to be a dominant force in Test cricket, particularly against England.
“Him and Joe Root, neck-and-neck in my opinion in terms of the greatest batters of this generation,” Stokes said, acknowledging the remarkable consistency and impact both players have had over the past decade.
Smith and Root have collectively amassed over 24,000 Test runs and 75 centuries, underscoring their elite status in modern cricket. While Root has yet to score a century on Australian soil and averages 35.68 there, Smith boasts an imposing average of 59.70 against England, including 18 hundreds.
Stokes noted that Smith’s ability to score heavily against England has remained a constant challenge. “Not too much has changed because he just gets runs against us, doesn’t he?” he remarked. “That seems to be a constant — a serious player, has been for a very long time”.
The comments come as England prepares to face Australia in the first Test of the 2025 Ashes series, with Smith stepping in as stand-in captain. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams fielding experienced line-ups and high expectations from fans and pundits alike.
Stokes’ remarks have also sparked discussion online, particularly over the omission of Indian batting great Virat Kohli from his list of modern greats. However, Stokes remained focused on the immediate challenge, reiterating the importance of neutralizing Smith’s influence to improve England’s chances in the series.
The Ashes opener begins Friday at Perth Stadium, with both teams aiming to set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling contest.
