David Warner Backs Steve Smith for Five Centuries in Ashes, Calls Him Best Since Don Bradman

Former Australian opener David Warner has issued a bold warning to England ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series, predicting that Steve Smith will dominate with five centuries and cement his legacy as Australia's greatest batter since the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. Warner's endorsement comes after Smith announced his return to competitive cricket in spectacular fashion, smashing a commanding 118 for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at the Gabba.

Smith Returns in Trademark Fashion

After a brief break in New York, the 36-year-old showed no signs of rust, crafting a sublime 176-ball innings adorned with 20 fours and a six. His knock guided New South Wales to 349/5 at stumps on Day Two, sending a powerful message to England just weeks before the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21.

Speaking on Fox Cricket on Wednesday, Warner was effusive in his praise for Smith, declaring him the key to Australia's Ashes success.

"If that man Steve Smith can score big runs this summer, they'll be fine," Warner said. "If Smith gets on a roll and he starts scoring runs, it's going to be a challenge for England."

Five Centuries and Bradman's Shadow

When asked whether Smith could finish his career as Australia's second-greatest batter behind Bradman, Warner didn't hesitate: "I reckon he's got five centuries in him. He only had one net session the other day and came out and scored a hundred today; that's Steve Smith."

Smith's latest century takes his Test tally to 36—just five behind Ricky Ponting's Australian record of 41. If Warner's prediction comes true, Smith would not only surpass Ponting but also reinforce his status as one of the greatest batters in cricket history.

In 2025 alone, Smith has flourished with 515 runs in six Tests at an average of 51.50, including two centuries and two fifties. His most recent Test assignment was in the West Indies in June-July, where he scored 127 runs across four innings, including a top score of 71 on challenging Caribbean pitches.

The Missing Piece: Winning in India Despite a career filled with accolades—including a T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and World Test Championship title—one glaring omission remains on Smith's resume: a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in India. Warner believes Smith has his sights set on rectifying that in the 2027 series.

"The one thing missing from him is winning in India," Warner said. "He knows his body now, he knows what he's capable of—if he wants to get to that Indian series, he will."

Warner also praised Smith's relentless hunger for improvement: "He's still learning. If he's still learning, god help everybody else."

Leading from the Front

With regular captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the first Ashes Test due to a back injury, Smith will step into the leadership role in Perth. The vice-captain has a stellar record as skipper, averaging an astonishing 112.28 in Ashes Tests when leading the side.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri, also part of the Fox Cricket commentary team, echoed Warner's confidence in Smith's ability to thrive under the added responsibility of captaincy.

"What's always amazed me about Steve is his ability to adapt to different conditions and improvise, even in the middle of a series—sometimes in the middle of an innings," Shastri said. "Captaincy will get the best out of him, that's for sure. He'll be tuned on, absolutely."

A Formidable Ashes Threat

Smith's Ashes pedigree is undeniable. He has tormented England throughout his career, and with the series being played in Australia—where pitches are bouncier and more conducive to his technique—he enters as one of the favorites to dominate.

England, led by Ben Stokes and their aggressive "Bazball" approach, will need to devise a special plan to counter Smith. Their attacking style has revolutionized Test cricket over the past two years, but Australia's conditions and Smith's mastery pose a stern examination.

Warner's prediction of five centuries may seem bold, but given Smith's track record, form, and hunger, it's far from far-fetched. If he delivers even half of what Warner expects, England will be in for a long, grueling summer.

The first Ashes Test begins at Perth Stadium on November 21, and all eyes will be on Steve Smith to see if he can live up to Warner's lofty expectations and etch his name even deeper into Ashes folklore.