Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, admitted that he is not sure whether he will be part of the Australian side that travels to England for the 2027 Ashes series. The former captain will be just shy of his 38th birthday when the first Test kicks off at Trent Bridge in June, and the prospect of playing another Ashes in England is both tantalising and uncertain for him. Smith has never lifted an Ashes trophy on English soil, and the 2027 contest would likely be his final opportunity to achieve that elusive milestone. In an interview with The Telegraph, the right‑hander 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." His record in England speaks for itself. Over 23 Tests on the island, Smith has amassed 2,334 runs at an impressive average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties.

Those numbers underline his ability to thrive on the swinging, seaming tracks that often trouble visiting batsmen. In the 2025 season, he averaged just over 50 across nine Tests, and in the three Tests he has played so far this year – one against England and two against Bangladesh – his average has climbed to 61.40.

When asked about his recent form, Smith said he feels "I’m batting really nicely" and that he has learned to adapt his technique to the challenging surfaces. "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 the Test arena, Smith is keen to extend his T20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where cricket will return as a medal sport. He also voiced concerns about the growing prevalence of the wobble‑seam delivery in Test cricket, describing it as a nightmare for batters. "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." Smith’s comments also touched on the role of spin in modern Tests. 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 quartet of pacemen – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson.

In contrast, Australia’s own spin option, Nathan Lyon, is not a guaranteed selection when conditions favour seam. "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," Smith explained. "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 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 that resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. All three matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with 11 a.m.

starts in the UK and Ireland. Looking ahead, Smith’s uncertainty about the 2027 Ashes reflects a broader conversation about longevity in elite cricket. Players who have enjoyed extended careers often weigh the physical demands of Test cricket against opportunities in shorter formats and emerging events like the Olympic Games. While his desire to win an Ashes in England remains strong, Smith acknowledges that selection will ultimately depend on form, fitness and the strategic direction of the Australian board as the 2027 series approaches.

In summary, Steve Smith’s candid admission that he does not yet know if he will don the baggy green for the 2027 Ashes underscores both his personal ambition and the practical realities of an ageing star navigating a crowded international calendar. His stellar English record, ongoing adaptability, and enthusiasm for both spin bowling and the evolving landscape of cricket ensure that, wherever he plays, he will continue to be a significant influence on the game.