Smith ready for biggest Test of career

Preparing for the most meaningful Test series of his captaincy career, Steve Smith admits there is room for improvement.

Smith became Australia's youngest Test skipper since Kim Hughes in 2014, temporarily performing the nation's second most important job at age 25.

The classy right-hander, who succeeded Michael Clarke the following year, has now led his country in 26 Tests.

There have been plenty of highs and lows - and 12 centuries - but nothing can compare to the challenge that starts at the Gabba in three weeks.

"No doubt. Ashes series are always big," Smith said on Friday, when asked if the five-Test bout with England looms as the biggest series of his career.

"This is my first Ashes series as captain and it's going to be a good challenge."

Smith has done a lot of learning on the job since being handed the keys to the Test XI while he was on a provisional driving licence.

One aspect of his leadership that has been critiqued throughout the journey is an emotive on-field approach - be it talking tactics with teammates or a couple of frank discussions with umpires.

The 28-year-old acknowledged on Friday he must do a better job of keeping his feelings in check, as pointed out this week by icon Steve Waugh.

"It's something that I've been working on for a while, I probably don't do myself any favours with my hand gestures," he said on the eve of NSW's Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia.

"I've tried a few different techniques."

Several teammates have described Smith's composure at the crease and the ease at which he picks gaps and makes a mockery of bowlers' best-laid plans, as inspirational.

Widely considered the best batsman in the world, Smith is yet to register a century since his record-breaking tour of India wrapped up in March.

The fidgeting genius, who has admitted in the past he occasionally forgets how to hold a bat, recorded single-figure scores in last week's day-night Shield clash but enjoyed a productive hit in the SCG nets on the eve of the Shield match against WA.

"I haven't felt great for a little while now," he said.

"Haven't felt quite right the last couple of weeks ... I think I've made some progress the last couple of days. It'll be good to spend some time in the middle to just reaffirm that.

"Had a really good hit today, felt like I figured things out at the end."

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

Gillette 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

Gillette T20 INTL 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 13

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

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

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21