Former Australian opener David Warner has made a bold prediction ahead of the 2025 Ashes, saying that Steve Smith could score five centuries against England when the series begins on November 21 in Perth. Smith has already signalled his return to peak form with a brilliant 118 for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at the Gabba on Wednesday.

In his fluent 176-ball knock, Smith struck 20 fours and a six, displaying the kind of control and precision that has defined his career. His performance comes just in time, as he steps in to captain Australia for the first Ashes Test, with regular skipper Pat Cummins ruled out.

“If Steve Smith can score big runs this summer, Australia will be fine. Once Smith gets going, England will find it hard to stop him,” David Warner said in an interview with Fox Cricket.

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Smith’s 2025 record underlines Warner’s confidence. The right-hander has already amassed 515 runs in six Tests at an average of 51.50, including two centuries and two half-centuries. His last Test series — against the West Indies — saw him score 127 runs in four innings, with a top score of 71. With 36 Test hundreds to his name, Smith now sits just five shy of Ricky Ponting’s Australian record of 41.

Warner believes that milestone could soon be matched: “He had one net session and then scored a hundred — that’s Steve Smith for you. I reckon he’s got five centuries in him this summer.”

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While Smith has conquered every major ICC trophy — the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and World Test Championship — the elusive Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in India remains missing from his resume. Warner feels Smith still has unfinished business. “He knows his body and game better than ever. If he wants to play that 2027 India series, he definitely will,” he added.