Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, admitted that he is uncertain whether he will be part of the Australian side that travels to England for the 2027 Ashes series. The cricketer, who will turn 38 just weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June, reflected on his chances of taking part in what could be his final opportunity to win an Ashes series on English soil.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith said, "I don’t even know if I’ll be there yet. I’ve been treating each series as a separate decision for a while now. That’s still a long way off for me at the moment. I’d love to win an Ashes in England, but we’ll have to see if that ever becomes a reality." Smith’s record in England is impressive: across 23 Tests he has amassed 2,334 runs at an average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties.
His recent form has been equally strong. In the nine‑match Test stint of 2025 he averaged just over 50, and in the three Tests he has played so far this year – one against England and two against Bangladesh – his average sits at a lofty 61.40. When asked about his current mindset, Smith explained, "I feel like I’m batting very well.
I’ve discovered new ways to handle the tricky English pitches while still putting runs on the board. I’m trying to contribute in every possible way – scoring runs, taking catches, offering leadership where I can – and it’s been an enjoyable few years for me." Beyond the traditional format, Smith is also keen to extend his T20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where cricket will make a return. He also shared his thoughts on a recent trend in Test bowling: the increasing use of the wobble‑seam delivery, which he believes is making life extremely hard for batsmen. "There are some balls now that are just unplayable," he said.
"If a ball is seaming two degrees off the line, you either don’t play at it or you’re probably not a very good batsman. If it’s coming in and hitting the top of the stumps while you’re trapped in front, there’s nothing you can do." Smith contrasted this with the relative ease of facing spin on the current "spicy" wickets. He noted that England’s recent 3‑0 home series win over Pakistan featured no specialist spinner, relying instead on part‑timer Dan Lawrence and a four‑bowler pace attack comprising Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. For Australia, the selection of veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain when conditions favour seam.
"When the ball is moving a lot and bowlers can keep hitting the right spot, spin becomes the easiest thing to score off," Smith observed. "It’s a shame we’ve had such lively pitches that spin hasn’t been used more.
I love playing against spin and I love watching spin bowlers. I was a spin bowler myself back in the day, and I’d love to see spin feature more prominently in Test cricket again." Australia’s next major red‑ball assignment is a three‑match series in South Africa beginning on 9 October. This will be the first time the Australian side has toured South Africa since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal that resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. All three Tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with 11 a.m.
start times for viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Smith’s comments highlight the delicate balance he must strike between personal ambition, team requirements and the physical realities of an ageing body. While his statistics suggest he still has plenty to offer, the decision to continue playing Test cricket – especially in demanding overseas conditions – will likely depend on his fitness, form and the strategic direction of Australian cricket.
Whether he ultimately dons the baggy green for the 2027 Ashes remains to be seen, but his candidness underscores the respect he holds for the historic rivalry and the desire to finish his career on a high note.