Steve Smith image sends scare though Aussie camp ahead of the Ashes

Steve Smith has been captured in pain after taking a knock to the hand during a nets session in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test on Friday. Smith returned to imperious form in England during the Test Championship final having scored a century, alongside Travis Head, in the first innings to help Australia win their maiden title.

Smith helped edge his Test average above 60 again leading into the Ashes to send a signal to Ben Stokes and his men ahead of the first Test in Birmingham on Friday. However, on a day when Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head were all named as the top three batters in the official rankings, the 34-year-old has sent a scare through the camp having taken a knock during training.

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Smith was captured leaving the nets in pain after a ball struck his hand. The mercurial batter was than treated on the sideline and winced in a worrying sign for Australia only 48 hours before the first ball.

The batter appeared to be fine, but time will tell on whether the best batter of his generation recovers in time to face up against the England quicks. Smith admitted in a press conference before the match he was ready for whatever the English team threw at him having seem them use some 'funky' tactics in recent years.

"Think we've seen the last few months that they do some funky things and they are going to have to try some different things at certain times," Smith said before the Birmingham test. "For me, [I] think one of my big strengths is being able to adapt on the go and understand what they are trying to do and sort of solve the problem out in the middle.

"I'll just focus on my game and try and counter each thing they come at me with. But we are expecting some different stuff, that's for sure."

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Ahead of the first Ashes test, Stokes admitted his team wouldn't over-plan for Smith and how to dismiss the World No.2 batter having seen him dominate India at The Oval. However, fans have been left stunned with the pitch at Edgbaston showing up looking flatter and with less green than normal.

The pitch only two days out looks more reminiscent of an Australian pitch, than a green English wicket, and many fans labelled the ploy as 'risky'. Smith broke a number of records on his way to a century at The Oval and the mercurial batter favours batting in English conditions. He also enjoys batting in Australian conditions.

Not only does the pitch appear to favour Smith, Labuscaghne and co, but it could also favour Australia's bowlers. This comes as following a moral boost for Labuschagne, Smith and Head with the trio named one, two and three in the ICC Test batting rankings.

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