Steve Smith, the seasoned Australian batsman, admitted that he "does not know" whether he will be part of the Australian squad for the 2027 Ashes series scheduled to be played in England next summer. The 38‑year‑old will celebrate his birthday only a few weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June, and the prospect of playing in an Ashes tour on English soil has become a tantalising, yet uncertain, possibility for him. Smith has never experienced an Ashes victory away from home, and the 2027 contest would likely be his final opportunity to achieve that elusive feat.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the veteran cricketer explained his approach to selection, saying, "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’ll have to wait and see if that ever materialises." His record in England speaks for itself: across 23 Tests on English pitches, Smith has amassed 2,334 runs at an impressive average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties.
The right‑hander also enjoyed a strong 2025 season, averaging just over 50 in nine Tests, and in the three Tests he has played this year—one against England and two versus Bangladesh—he is sitting on a remarkable 61.40 average. When asked about his current form, Smith replied, "I feel I’m batting really nicely.
I’ve found different ways to approach these tricky surfaces and still manage to score runs. I’m trying to contribute as much as I can for the team—whether that’s putting up runs, taking catches, or helping out in leadership areas where I’m needed. It’s been a good, fun couple of years." Beyond his Test ambitions, Smith is also keen to extend his T20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is set to make a return as a medal sport. He also shared his thoughts on the evolving nature of seam bowling in the longer format.
"There are some deliveries now that are just unplayable," he said. "If a ball is seaming two degrees, you either don’t attack it, or you’re not a very good batsman. If you’re trying to hit it, you’re probably playing the wrong line.
And when a ball is coming straight into you, hitting the top of the stumps, you can’t really do much about it." Smith highlighted the growing difficulty batters face when bowlers perfect the wobble‑seam technique, which can make the ball behave unpredictably off the pitch. He contrasted this with spin bowling, which he believes offers a more straightforward challenge for batsmen. "When the ball is moving as much as it is, and bowlers can keep hitting the same spot, spin becomes the easiest thing to face and the thing you can score freely off," he explained.
He lamented the current scarcity of quality spin in Test cricket, noting that England’s recent 3‑0 home sweep of Pakistan featured only part‑time spinner Dan Lawrence alongside a four‑pronged pace attack consisting of Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. For Australia, the selection of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain in seam‑friendly conditions, prompting Smith to advocate for a greater role for spin. "It’s a shame we’ve had such spicy wickets that it’s got to that point, because I love playing against 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," he said.
Australia’s next major red‑ball assignment is a three‑match series in South Africa starting on 9 October. This will be the first time the Australian side has toured South Africa since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal, which resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with all matches kicking off at 11 a.m.
UK and Ireland time. Looking ahead, Smith’s uncertainty about the 2027 Ashes reflects both his personal considerations and the broader dynamics of modern cricket. At 38, he remains one of the world’s most technically proficient batsmen, yet the physical demands of a long Test career inevitably raise questions about longevity.
His desire to continue contributing in T20 formats and potentially at the Olympic Games adds another layer to his decision‑making process. The Ashes, steeped in history and rivalry, still hold a special allure for Smith. Winning the series on English soil would not only fill a personal gap in his illustrious résumé but also cement his legacy as a player who succeeded across all conditions.
Until the Australian selectors and Smith himself evaluate his form, fitness, and personal goals in the coming years, the answer to whether he will don the baggy green for the 2027 Ashes remains open. Fans, analysts, and fellow players will be watching closely, hoping that the veteran’s experience and skill can still be marshalled for what could be a historic triumph in the land of the Ashes.