England captain Ben Stokes has declared Joe Root and Steve Smith "neck and neck" for the title of greatest Test batter of this generation.
The fortunes of Root and Smith this summer will go a long way to deciding who wins the Ashes.
Smith, who will fill-in as Australia captain for at least the first Test in Perth, has previously feasted on England, at home and away.
Recently becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar, Root has made four Ashes centuries, but none have come in Australia.
"He just gets runs against us, doesn't he," Stokes on Thursday said of Smith.
"That seems to be a constant ... serious player, and has been for a very long time.
"Him and Joe Root are neck and neck, in my opinion, in terms of the greatest batters of this generation.
"You always want to come up with ways to try and keep the best players quiet ... it'll be a hard thing to be able to do."
Still a "competitive beast", Smith's captaincy and personality is far more relaxed these days, according to long-time Australia teammate Mitchell Starc.
The 36-year-old also filled in as skipper the last time England toured Australia in 2021-22, after Pat Cummins was forced to isolate for the Adelaide Test during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be the seventh time Smith has captained Australia in Tests since his full-time reign came to an end because of Sandpapergate in 2018.
Smith led Australia to a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka earlier this year after Cummins missed the tour due to the birth of his second child.
Having recaptured some of his batting greatness during the past 12 months, Smith's change in demeanour hasn't gone unnoticed.
"He's a lot more relaxed as a person all round," Starc said.
"Even the times that he's had to fill in for Pat, it's a different approach.
"I've obviously spent a lot of time playing with Steven and playing under Steve as captain.
"He's still as sharp as ever with his mind about what he wants to achieve, or how he thinks about the game of cricket.
"Particularly off the field, he's a little bit more relaxed in his approach.
"He's still that competitive beast, and still wants to be the best, and still will leave no stone unturned."
Twelve of Smith's 36 Test centuries have come against England, but he was below his best during the last home Ashes four years ago.
Almost written off this time 12 months ago, Smith remerged as a force when he smashed four tons in five Tests either side of the New Year.
Sure to send a scare through the England camp, Smith's average is an immense 68.98 in his 40 Tests as Australian captain.
His average drops to a still-impressive 49.90 when not skipper.
Smith's conversion rate as captain is also staggering, hitting 17 centuries and 14 fifties, compared to 19 and 29 when not leader.
"I'm pretty chilled," Smith said of his evolution as a player and captain.
"I've learned a lot over my journey.
"The couple of times that I've stood in for Patty, I've tried to be pretty relaxed and let the game play.
"I've got to do it my own way out there and have my own style.
"But I'm a lot more relaxed these days."
