Australian mitchell starc

With Pat Cummins: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting asserted that the home side needs a strong performance from Steve Smith to lead the five-Test Ashes, starting on Friday in Perth.

With Pat Cummins sidelined for the opening Test because of a back injury - and his availability for the second match in Brisbane still uncertain - Australia will again turn to Smith to lead the team.

Ponting believes Smith will thrive with the armband back on. Smith’s numbers as skipper are striking - he averages 68.98 when leading, almost 13 runs higher than his overall career mark of 56.02. In comparison, his average drops to 49.90 in matches where he isn’t the captain.