Steve Smith says there is more to come from Australia ahead of third Ashes Test

Australia captain Steve Smith insists his side are still yet to reach their best this Ashes series, despite convincingly winning the opening two Tests.

England must win the third Test to give themselves a chance of retaining the Ashes. In order to do so they will have to win at the WACA, something which has only been done once by an England side in 50 years.

Smith says his side remain confident ahead of the third Test and has urged them to avoid a slow start to ensure they destroy the visitors' hopes of retaining the Ashes.

Smith said: "I wouldn't say we've played our best just yet. We've shown glimpses at times - (but) I thought we were pretty poor in the second innings last week with the bat.

"So I think we've got a bit of improving to do - which is always nice, when you're still winning games of cricket."

"I hope we can start this game well, and put England under a little bit of pressure.

"If we could win this game, certainly it would take the wind out of their sails a little bit, and the series is dead and buried."

The England squad have been embroiled in controversy while in Australia, with Jonny Bairstow's 'headbutt' greeting to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft and England Lions batsman Ben Duckett pouring a beer over the head of James Anderson in the same Perth bar.

However, Smith has said his players must remain focused on their objectives rather than become distracted by England's off-field misdemeanours.

"It doesn't bother us - it's nothing to do with us," he said. "They can have all the trouble they like ... it's irrelevant for us.

"The message to the boys is to make sure they're not complacent. We're in a good position, playing at a ground we've had a lot of success at - and I hope we can wrap up the series (here).

"They're only a couple of bad sessions from the series going away from them, so it'd be nice to get those sessions out of the way."

The upcoming fixture will be the last Ashes Test to be played at the WACA and Smith is hopeful his side can continue their stellar record during their last outing at the Perth stadium.

"I hope the groundsman can get that wicket nice and hard and fast and bouncy - to suit our big quicks, and our batters as well.

"For the last couple of years, it's been a little bit slow - hasn't had the traditional Perth carry and pace of old, so we hope we can get that back.

"We've always loved playing here, so it would be nice to end things on a really good note."