Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, admitted that he "does not know" whether he will be part of the Australian side that travels to England for the 2027 Ashes series. The uncertainty comes as Smith approaches his 38th birthday, which falls just a few weeks before the first Test at Trent Bridge in June 2027.
The Australian star has never managed to lift an Ashes trophy on English soil, and the 2027 contest could realistically be his final opportunity to achieve that elusive feat. In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith explained his approach to selection: "I don't even know if I'll be there yet.
I'm kind of a series‑by‑series proposition, as I've been for a while. That's still a fair way away for me right now. I'd love to win [an Ashes in England] but you wait and see if that comes to fruition." Smith's statistics in England speak for themselves. Over 23 Tests on English pitches he has amassed 2,334 runs at a remarkable average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties.
His recent form has been equally impressive: he averaged just over 50 across his nine Test appearances in 2025, and in the three Tests he has played this year – one against England and two versus Bangladesh – he is sitting on a 61.40 average. When asked about his current batting mindset, Smith said, "I feel I'm batting really nicely. I've found different ways to go about things on these tricky surfaces and still be able to score runs. So trying to contribute as well as I can for the team, score runs, take catches, help out in leadership areas where I need to – it's been a good, fun couple of years." Beyond Test cricket, Smith is keen to extend his Twenty‑20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where cricket will make its debut as a medal sport.
He also shared his thoughts on a growing trend in modern Test bowling – the wobble‑seam delivery – which he believes is making life increasingly difficult for batsmen. "There are some balls now that are just unplayable.
Some of these balls have your name on it and you can't do anything about it. If it's seaming two degrees, you're not hitting that ball, or you shouldn't be hitting that ball. If you're hitting it, you're probably not a very good batter, to be honest.
You're playing down the wrong line. And if it's coming into you, and it's hitting the top of the stumps and you're getting trapped in front, you can't do anything about it," he explained. The challenges posed by seam and swing have been evident in recent series.
England, for example, did not deploy a frontline spinner during their 3‑0 home whitewash of Pakistan, relying instead on part‑time bowler Dan Lawrence to complement a four‑pronged pace attack featuring Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. For Australia, the selection of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain in conditions that favour seam movement.
Smith commented on the situation: "When the ball's moving as much as it is, and you can create relentless pressure by bowlers just continually hitting the spot, spin's by far the easiest thing to face and the thing that you can score freely off. It's a shame that we've had such spicy wickets that it's got to that point, because I love playing a spinner. I love watching spin bowlers bowl.
I was a spin bowler myself back in the day. I'd love to see spin play much more of a part in Test cricket again." Australia's next major red‑ball assignment is a three‑match Test series in South Africa, scheduled to begin on 9 October. This will be the first time the Australian side has toured South Africa since the fallout from the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal, which resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The upcoming series will be a crucial barometer for Smith's form and fitness ahead of any potential Ashes selection.
The 2027 Ashes will be contested under conditions that are likely to be markedly different from those of previous tours. Climate change and evolving pitch preparation techniques mean that English wickets can vary from the traditionally green, seam‑friendly surfaces to drier, spin‑assisting tracks.
Smith's expressed desire for a greater role for spin in Test cricket could prove advantageous if the England Cricket Board opts for more spin‑friendly preparations. From a leadership perspective, Smith remains an integral part of the Australian dressing room.
Although he is no longer the official Test captain, his experience and tactical acumen continue to influence team strategy. He frequently mentors younger players on handling pressure situations, especially on foreign soil where the mental challenge can be as demanding as the technical one.
Looking ahead, Smith's personal goals align with the broader objectives of Australian cricket. He wants to add an Ashes win in England to his résumé, extend his T20 franchise career, and potentially compete at the Olympic Games.
Achieving any one of these milestones would cement his legacy as one of the most versatile and enduring figures in modern cricket. In summary, while Steve Smith cannot confirm his participation in the 2027 Ashes at this stage, his recent performances, his adaptability to varying conditions, and his passion for both batting and spin bowling suggest that he will remain a key contender for selection.
Fans and selectors alike will be watching his form in South Africa and his fitness in the months leading up to the English summer to determine whether he can add that long‑awaited English Ashes triumph to his illustrious career. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with each game starting at 11 a.m. UK and Ireland time.