Smith's advice for handling Aussie crowds

Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith has said England's chances of success in this summer's Magellan Ashes could hinge on how new captain Joe Root handles his duties on the tour.

Root enjoyed a 3-1 series win against South Africa in his maiden Test series as captain, having taken over from Alastair Cook who stood down from the role following England's 4-0 defeat in India last December.

But Smith warned touring Australia would present an entirely new challenge and one of the most intense in world cricket for a visiting captain.

"It's how Joe Root will handle the pressure of touring Australia, that expectation, the pressure that will be on him, from the media to the crowds," Smith told the BBC's Test Match Special.

"Australia is relentless. From the moment you arrive and walk out of that airport you are scrutinised – and abused – and there's an immense amount of pressure.

"How Joe as a leader will cope with that will also be important."

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He predicted a crackerjack contest between the two heavyweights with no clear favourite.

"England are shaping up to be a good team," Smith said. "I like the fact they've gone with the extra (batter), I think that's going to help them in Australia.

"You can debate who those eight batters are, if you leave Moeen Ali at eight, but there's eight quality players there if England can find a top order that can consistently contribute.

"You've got such an exciting middle order in (Ben) Stokes, Ali, (Jonny) Bairstow.

"There's such freedom to really apply pressure onto the Australian attack."

England coach Trevor Bayliss conceded after his side's series win against the Proteas they had top-order issues that needed resolving against the Australians, with question marks still hovering over an opening berth plus the No.3 and No.5 spots.

England have three home Tests against the West Indies – starting with next Thursday's day-night affair at Edgbaston – before the Ashes.

Smith said scoreboard pressure would be England's key to success.

"If England can post totals, they're going to have a very good chance at the Ashes. If they can get scores of 400 and above they'll have a really good chance."

Smith toured Australia three times with the Proteas, losing in 2005-06, but winning in 2008-09 and late 2012.

He revealed the South Africans had come up with a fielding rotation plans to combat the hostile Australian crowds during their tours.

"We actually tried to share some of the load of the crowds and the media," Smith said. "(Like) maybe not leaving one bowler down at fine leg for all of one day, maybe moving to shift that around.

"We actually created some humour at the end of the day in the change room, because what you hear through six hours in the field in Australia ...

"We used to sit in the change room and have 20 mins of guys sharing some of the stuff they'd heard throughout the day, which always proved to create one or two laughs."

Despite that, Smith said he "never found (sleding) ever to go too far" during his career, but did take particular delight in winding up England pace spearhead James Anderson.

Anderson, who could become just the sixth bowler to ever reach the 500 Test wicket mark against the West Indies – he needs 13 scalps – was "a grumpy man" who became defensive at suggestions he was running on the wicket in his follow-through, said Smith.

"I used to like to irritate Jimmy (Anderson). He's a grumpy man. Jimmy always runs in close, tight to the wicket (when delivering the ball)," the former Proteas captain said.

"So whenever I was at the non-striker's end I used just pat down his spike marks, tying to give the umpire a hint, which used to drive him insane.

"Jimmy used to always retort with a couple of nice sentences and I'd just carry on, doing my gardening."

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21