Ashes 2015: Steve Smith has an English mother and a British passport, but there is no doubt whose side the world's best batsman will be on this summer

Steve Smith was doing more than simply preparing for the Ashes when he pitched up with the touring side to play Kent at Canterbury last week – he was renewing acquaintances. It was here, in the summer of 2007, that an 18-year-old Smith played a single game for Kent Second XI before attracting the attention of Surrey, who offered him a contract that could have turned the career of the world’s No 1 batsman on its head.