Steve Smith says players can book Ashes berth during ODIs against India

Bengaluru, September 12: Australian captain Steve Smith said runs and wickets against a strong Indian side would only help those on the fringe of the Test XI when coach Darren Lehmann and fellow selectors Trevor Hohns and Greg Chappell meet to name the Test squad in November.

"I think playing for Australia in any format, you can continue to put your name up there," the skipper said in Chennai reports cricket.com.au.

"This is going to be a tough tour. India have been playing very good cricket for a while now ... so it's going to be a good challenge for this group," he said.

Smith also shrugged off any concerns that playing white-ball cricket and spending another five weeks in Asia could hamper preparations for the Ashes.

With the upcoming Test summer to begin almost three weeks later than last season, and scope to play up to three Sheffield Shield matches before the first Test, Smith was unconcerned by the lead-in to what will be his fifth Ashes campaign and his first as skipper.

"I don't think there's a problem with it," he said.

"I know before the last Ashes series (at home) there was a one-day series here as well, much the same as this one. I don't see any issue with it.

"We've got plenty of time when we get back home to play a few of Shield games and get ready for the Ashes," he said.