Steve Smith was just 12 when Australia last won an Ashes series in England.

Ending a year in which he came of age as a batsman and became the nation’s 45th Test captain, Smith will carry much of the burden of expectation when the Ashes start in July.

The 25-year-old could well be leading the side too, if Michael Clarke’s chronic back and hamstring woes are not in order when the first Ashes Test starts in Cardiff on July 8.

The rise and rise of Smith underlined the Australian cricket team’s 2014, a year of much success but also a pair of shambolic defeats.

It started with Smith scoring 115 at the SCG as Australia wrapped up a 5-0 Ashes thumping of England.

It ended with Smith’s fifth century of the calender year – an outstanding 192 in a draw that ensured the Border-Gavaskar trophy returned to Australia.

The results between were a mixed bag.

The 2-1 Test series win in South Africa during March is the undoubted highlight of Darren Lehmann’s coaching career, with David Warner and Mitchell Johnson continuing their stellar Ashes form.

Lehmann had long spoken of the need to win outside Australia, and to do it against the world’s best Test side was an outstanding achievement.

Australia usurped South Africa and grabbed top spot on the ICC’s Test rankings as a result, but it was only fleeting.

A terrible 2-0 Test series loss to Pakistan in the UAE was a reality check – and a reminder of Australia’s subcontinent struggles.

The visitors couldn’t buy a wicket as veteran batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq piled on the runs, while Warner, Smith and Mitch Marsh were among the few Australians to impress with the bat.

Australia returned home rattled, but it was soon put into context when the shock death of Phillip Hughes cast a pall over the first Test against India.

The four-Test series was rescheduled, while the first Test was shifted from the Gabba to Adelaide Oval as players mourned.

It was an emotional Test for all, but especially Clarke given he was a close friend of Hughes.

Clarke compiled a painful century in Adelaide, retiring hurt in the middle of the knock due to a flare up of his degenerative back condition.

Clarke then tore his hamstring on day five, with the 33-year-old needing surgery and pondering his future.

“There’s a chance I may never play again,” Clarke said.

That is unlikely to be the case – Clarke remains desperate to return for the one-day World Cup starting in February and should be fit for a Test tour of the West Indies that is essentially an Ashes tune-up.

But questions of Clarke’s future will remain and selectors will always be wary of another pinged hamstring.

Clarke’s absence hurt the team, but the solace was Smith.

Australia’s batting order relied heavily on Clarke recently, but Smith stepped up in every sense during 2014.

On day one of the Test series against South Africa, Smith guided Australia from 4-98 to a first-innings total of 397 on a green-top in Centurion.

Smith became the first Australian to score tons in his first two Tests as captain – steadying the hosts in Brisbane and Melbourne.

When Australia push for their first away Test series win over England since 2001, it won’t surprise if Smith is called on to do the same again.

In the form of his life after an unforgettable year, Smith should be ready.