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England's famed supporter group the Barmy Army have revealed which Aussie star they will target in the Ashes, and the answer won't surprise many given his previous controversies and heroics at the crease: Steve Smith.
Smith, 36, will be the stand-in skipper until Pat Cummins can prove his fitness from a back complaint, and Barmy Army Perth Supporters co-founder James Whitehouse confirmed the batsman can expect a torrid reception.
'It (Ashes) is the oldest rivalry, it is the longest running rivalry,' he told The West Australian.
'It is always full on from both sides. We thoroughly expect to get hammered by the Aussie fans, but we'll give it back.
'The fact that Steve Smith is captain is going to be a nice one for us, because let's face it, he's got it coming again.'
Whitehouse was referring to the Barmy Army previously mocking Smith for his involvement in 'Sandpapergate' back in 2018 - and the tears that followed in a press conference.
England's famed supporter group the Barmy Army have revealed which Aussie star they will target in the Ashes - Steve Smith
The Barmy Army previously mocked Smith for his involvement in 'Sandpapergate' back in 2018 - and the tears that followed in a press conference (pictured)
The Barmy Army are often quick to point out their banter is friendly in nature, adding to the occasion of the Ashes (pictured, an English fan at the MCG)
The infamous chant of 'cry on the telly, we saw you cry on the telly' was a feature of the 2019 and 2023 Ashes series.
Other Aussie stars previously targeted by the Barmy Army include David Warner - namely for a lack of runs on English soil across his career - as well as being Stuart Broad's bunny.
In an extraordinary statistic, the England seamer claimed Warner's scalp an astonishing 17 times in Tests.
Elsewhere, former Aussie captains Allan Border and Steve Waugh were often in the firing line for their ruthless nature, while Merv Hughes was criticised for his body shape.
Wicketkeeper Ian Healy - who loved to chirp behind the stumps - was another the English loathed.
In previous years, England fans have often playfully referred to Aussie stars as convicts, with one famously sung to the tune of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine.
Another Beatles classic, Yesterday, was also belted out frequently, namely when Nathan Hauritz was the first-choice spin option.
It followed the retirement of Shane Warne in 2007 following a successful Ashes series on home soil.
Barmy Army Perth Supporters co-founder James Whitehouse expects the banter to be flowing from both sets of supporters across the five Tests
Other Aussie stars previously targeted by the Barmy Army include David Warner, namely for his lack of runs on English soil across his career
Cult hero quick Merv Hughes was criticised for his body shape (pictured, during the 1993 Ashes series)
Fast forward to 2025 and England are supremely confident, adamant their 'Bazball' approach will pay dividends.
Tensions between the two teams have been simmering since the last series in England in 2023 after Jonny Bairstow was stumped by wicketkeeper Alex Carey at Lord's.
Bairstow left his crease before the over was called - and chaos followed.
In an ominous statistic ahead of the upcoming series, the visitors have not won a Test in Australia since early 2011.
The first Test is in Perth, which starts on November 21.
England are set to continue their preparations on Thursday, with several players yet to arrive from New Zealand, despite the first match being a little over two weeks away.
Meanwhile, Australian players will continue their extensive work in the lead-up, with nearly all of the squad to play for their respective states in the next round of the Sheffield Shield which begins on Monday.
