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The veteran bowler admitted that he hasn't figured out a reliable method to remove Steve Smith and suggests that the historic series could become a lengthy battle if the English team cannot dismiss Smith quickly.

Smith's Dominant Record

The 36-year-old batsman, who is considered one of the finest contemporary cricketers, boasts a remarkable average of 56.01 in the Ashes series with 12 centuries to his name.

The right-handed batsman, having played in each England-Australia encounter since 2010-11, dominated the batting charts during the 2017-18 and subsequent 2019 series, scoring substantial run tallies while the English bowler was playing for England.

The Bowler's Challenge

"I recall when he scored that huge 239 in the 2017 Perth match and I failed to miss the middle of his bat for three consecutive days," Broad commented on an interview.

"Whatever I bowled I aimed ended up meeting his bat's middle."

"Smith has developed that specific approach of the conditions favor me, and I plan to stay at the crease'."

Statistical Superiority

Broad got the better of Smith 11 times in the longest format - exceeding by three other bowlers - yet reveals he remains unaware of a consistent weakness.

The batsman's lifetime average of 56.02 rises to nearly 60 when batting in Australia. Only the legendary Ricky Ponting with 41 centuries has achieved greater numbers than Smith's 36 Test hundreds for Australia.

Facing the Batting Genius

Broad remarked: "Clearly Smith's approach has changed over time, but I remain unable to clearly identify this approach works to dismiss him."

"This demonstrates an incredible strength of his. He's exceptionally difficult to confront. At times it seems like you haven't delivered an weak offering and it still races for four runs."

Recent Form and Preparation

The batsman's form experienced a slight decline between June 2023 and December 2024 when he went 23 batting opportunities unable to make a ton, but he returned to form with double tons against the Indian team recently and made 141 and 131 against Sri Lanka at early 2025.

After a 60-day pause, he started his buildup for this year's Ashes in the end of October and quickly registered a 118-run innings in his comeback match.

Series Strategy

"To emerge triumphant, it's essential to limit his average to under 50, right?" Broad pondered.

"He's going to make a century, that's what he does."

"Assuming he scores 40, that amounts to a minimum of fifteen less than his usual output, so your strategy is working. I think you must remove him during the initial stages."

"Should the English team don't succeed in removing him within the first forty scoring shots, it's going to be an extended contest."

Adapting Approaches

The English team has attempted various plans to address Smith's unusual approach throughout a decade and a half of Ashes competition.

Broad revealed perfecting an outward-moving delivery designed against Smith before the 2023 series, while the team has focused on the area around his legs, pitched away from the off-side and even attempted the close-in leg-side field during 2019 - matches in which the batsman commenced with twin centuries at that venue.

Memorable Moments

"It comes to mind when Jason Roy was positioned at that specific fielding spot, and he was diving in both directions for the opening overs, narrowly missing multiple times," the bowler remembered.

"Smith got away, made two hundreds in that match, remarkable performances."

The bowler continued: "I recall sitting in a strategy session about the Australian batsman in that season and they suggested maybe we can test going for the base of the stumps early'}."

"Is that so, let's verify the frequency with which he's been bowled in home matches during the previous five seasons?' Just once."

The Paceman's Role

The upcoming series, commencing in Friday in Perth (02:30 GMT), seems set to include Smith batting against Jofra Archer for the first time in Tests since 2019, when he experienced difficulties and faced a rising delivery during the fast bowler's intense over at that famous venue.

Smith has consistently emphasized that the bowler didn't get him in that game - he temporarily retired and was eventually out lbw to Chris Woakes upon resuming his innings - though Arcer did manage to get him out on a hook shot in an ODI during last year.

"Could the fast bowler provide the answer?" Broad wondered. "Making him nick from that specific line, following the delivery."

"Since Archer maintains that line of moving inward toward the wickets, is he able to bowl an outgoing delivery? Smith's anticipating the inward movement."