The Ashes 2025-26: England’s decisions for Adelaide Test against Australia

From a likely move to an unlikely one, regarding a highly-concerning area of the England team.

Jamie Smith’s collapse in form has been astonishing. After his 12th Test, when Smith struck a spectacular 184 not out against India at Edgbaston, his batting average stood at 58.64.

There was excitement that England had uncovered the next Adam Gilchrist. Just lately, they might have been better off with Adam Sandler.

Smith’s highest score in his past eight Test innings is 33. He has failed to reach double figures on six occasions. He has looked lethargic behind the stumps, dropping a crucial catch and failing to move for another in Brisbane.

It is worth reflecting on a sliding-doors moment for England, a year ago in the nets in Queenstown, New Zealand, when Jordan Cox’s thumb was broken by a throw-down from assistant coach Jeetan Patel.

At that point, Cox was England’s reserve keeper and reserve batter. If it had gone well for him in New Zealand, there might have been a world where Cox took the gloves full time and Smith was freed to be a specialist batter.

Instead, Jacob Bethell took the opportunity to climb the pecking order. Cox’s versatility is now not in the England squad.

The indication is England will stick with Smith. Head coach Brendon McCullum hinted at it when he said the shorter square boundaries in Adelaide will suit Smith’s pull and hook shots.

If England do need to take Smith out of the firing line, the only option is to give the gloves to Ollie Pope, but Pope has problems on his own…