Steve Smith has warned England they face a much sterner test of their cricketing credentials over the next two months than the one Australia offered in the last Ashes series in the northern summer.

England dominated large parts of the five-Test series to win 3-0 and reclaim the famous urn but Smith, who broke through for his maiden Test hundred in the final Test at the Oval, says England can expect a far different examination in Australia.

“I don’t think the 3-0 defeat illustrated how well we played over there,” Smith said on Monday.

“Playing back here with our crowds on our wickets we have all played a lot on and in our conditions it puts us in a good position.

“It’s a different situation for them and for us.”

Smith said he was confident his own form is building nicely heading into the Ashes series starting in Brisbane in under three weeks.

With Australia looking likely to debut George Bailey in the first Test at the Gabba and Shane Watson again under an injury cloud, much responsibility is likely to fall upon Smith for runs in Australia’s middle order.

Smith has displayed promising form with the bat in both the domestic one-dayers and the opening round of the Sheffield Shield for NSW.

After hitting an unbeaten 138 at the Oval he heads into the series starting on November 21 full of confidence.

“I feel like I have been playing well in the Shield and the Ryobi Cup,” Smith said.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well and hopefully that will continue over the next two weeks.

“Obviously the team hasn’t been picked yet so for me it is about scoring as many runs as possible and being as consistent as possible.

“I gained a lot of confidence from that hundred … scoring runs against one of the best attacks in the world. I have changed a few things about my batting since then and I’m feeling pretty confident about it all.

If Watson, who is battling a hamstring complaint, isn’t fit for the Gabba, Smith said he would welcome the extra bowling opportunities that would likely come his way.

The 24-year-old also revealed he is dealing with a degenerative back condition, similar to Michael Clarke’s, but that it would not threaten his involvement in the Ashes series.

“It’s just something I have to manage and continue to manage,” he said.