Steve Smith, the seasoned Australian batsman, admitted that he is uncertain whether he will be part of the Australian squad for the 2027 Ashes series in England. The 38‑year‑old will celebrate his birthday only a few weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June 2027, and the prospect of playing in an Ashes series on English soil for the final time looms large for him. Smith has never been a member of a winning Ashes side away from home, so the 2027 contest could represent his last realistic chance to achieve that elusive feat.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith explained his cautious approach to future 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 comments underline a pragmatic mindset, treating each series as a separate decision point rather than committing to a long‑term plan.
Smith’s statistical record in England is impressive. Over 23 Tests on English pitches he has amassed 2,334 runs at an average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten half‑centuries. His recent form has been equally encouraging: in the 2025 season he averaged just over 50 across nine Tests, and in the current year he has already compiled 61.40 runs per innings from three matches – one against England and two versus Bangladesh.
Reflecting on his performance, 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 his Test ambitions, Smith is keen to extend his Twenty‑20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where cricket is slated to return as a medal sport. He also offered insight into a technical challenge that modern batters face: the increasing prevalence of the wobble‑seam delivery.
"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 discussion about seam movement naturally led to a conversation about spin bowling.
England’s recent 3‑0 home series sweep of Pakistan featured a pace‑heavy attack – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson – with only part‑time off‑spinner Dan Lawrence providing occasional variation. By contrast, Australia has found itself in a position where veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is not a guaranteed selection, especially on pitches that favour seam. Smith expressed his personal fondness for spin, noting that when the ball is moving heavily, a well‑placed spinner can actually become the easiest weapon for a batsman to score off.
"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," he said. 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 2018 ball‑tampering scandal that resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
The upcoming series will be a crucial barometer for Smith’s form and fitness heading toward the 2027 Ashes, and it will also give selectors a clear picture of whether his experience and skill set still align with the team’s strategic direction. The South Africa series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with all matches slated to start at 11:00 am UK and Ireland time. Fans will be watching closely to see how Smith adapts to South African conditions, which traditionally offer a blend of pace, bounce, and spin – a combination that will test his versatility.
His performances could either cement his place in the upcoming Ashes squad or signal that the Australian board may look to younger talent for the historic England tour. In summary, Steve Smith stands at a crossroads in his illustrious career. While his record in England remains exemplary and his recent form suggests he still has plenty to offer, age, evolving team dynamics, and the physical demands of Test cricket mean that his participation in the 2027 Ashes is far from guaranteed. Whether he ultimately dons the baggy green for the next Ashes will depend on a mixture of personal fitness, form, and the strategic choices of the Australian selectors as the cricketing calendar unfolds over the next few years.