Steven Smith could help regain the Ashes

Steven Smith's match-winning turn in the Caribbean reinforced Greg Chappell's view that the young allrounder has the special talent needed to help Australia regain the Ashes. Chloe Saltau elaborates in the Age.

The thought of another audacious blond bowling leg-spin for Australia next summer is enough to send generations of English batsmen into therapy, but Chappell predicted Smith's entrance to Test cricket could more closely emulate Richie Benaud than Shane Warne.

''He is [part of the Ashes plans] in my view,'' Chappell said. ''In Australia, through the history of cricket, good wrist-spin bowling has been very successful and I think he has the capabilities to do that, and it gives you the opportunity to play two spinners. Remember that Richie Benaud played for three or four years as a batsman predominantly, and bowled the odd over here or there. I can see Steve Smith doing that in the early days of his career.''