Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
đ» How to tune into Sport Nation
Katichâs leading runs prediction leads to big Root call
Andrew Slevison ⹠ November 17th, 2025 11:46 am
Former Australian opener Simon Katich is confident Steve Smith will be Australiaâs leading run scorer this Ashes.
Katich is expecting England to set some traps for Smith but believes the 36-year-old has the wisdom and experience to scupper any Pommy plans.
In 37 Tests against England Smith has made 3417 runs with 12 centuries at an average of 56 against England and Katich believes he is capable of more.
âIâve tipped that it will be Steve Smith, I think heâs in for a big summer,â Katich said on SEN 1170 Breakfast when asked who will top Australiaâs Test runs this summer.
âI think England are going to have serious plans for him with their attack but I also think heâs so experienced and so good in our conditions that he will find a way to get through that challenge.
âAnd I think he always gets himself up for the big Ashes (series). Heâs had a good lead-in, he got a couple of 50s the other day at the SCG in a very low-scoring affair for New South Wales when they got bowled out for 120 in both innings.
âHeâs the standout for me. I think heâll be the player of the series.â
As for Englandâs top scorer, Katich made a massive call in relation to Joe Root.
The star English bat has made 39 Test tons including four against the Aussies but has not reached triple figures on Australian soil.
Katich reckons that trend might continue meaning his former teammate Matthew Hayden might just have to âwalk nude around the MCG if he (Root) doesnât make a hundred this summerâ.
âThatâs a tough one, theyâve got some serious players in that lineup,â Katich said when pondering Englandâs leading run scorer.
âIâm tipping that Root still doesnât get a hundred here. Iâm backing that in.
âI want to see the big fella Matty Hayden have to do that lap. Heâs come out and made a big statement. I think itâs around the MCG and I donât reckon heâs got anything on.
âI think everyone in Australia might be wanting to see that happen, but maybe thereâs some that donât as well, particularly his wife.â
However, the SEN Cricket commentator does have Harry Brook at the top of his list from an England viewpoint.
âIn all seriousness, the one for me that is the danger man who can do some serious damage with the older ball is Harry Brook,â he added.
âHe comes in in unbelievable form over the last 12 to 18 months, heâs got the leadership of the white-ball team now, so I think heâll be wanting to make a real statement in this series away from home.
âTo be that Kevin Pietersen-style player for England and really put that pressure on. He can be that man.â
The first Test between Australia and England gets underway in Perth this Friday.
