Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, admitted that he is unsure whether he will be part of the Australian side that travels to England for the 2027 Ashes. The 38‑year‑old will celebrate his birthday just weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June, and the prospect of playing in an Ashes series on English soil could represent his final opportunity to win the coveted trophy away from home.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Smith explained his approach to selection: “I don’t even know if I’ll be there yet. I’ve always treated each series as a separate decision, and that’s still how I’m looking at things. It’s still a long way off for me at the moment.” He added that the idea of lifting the Ashes in England is appealing, but he would have to wait and see how circumstances evolve before committing to a definitive plan.
Smith’s record in England is impressive. Over 23 Tests on the island 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: he averaged just over 50 across the nine Tests he played in 2025, and in the three matches he has featured in this year – one against England and two versus Bangladesh – his average stands at 61.40. "I feel I’m batting really nicely," he said. "I’ve found different ways to negotiate these tricky surfaces while still putting runs on the board." Beyond the numbers, Smith highlighted his broader contributions to the side. "I’m trying to help the team in every way I can – scoring runs, taking catches, and stepping into leadership roles where needed.
It’s been a fun and rewarding couple of years," he noted. While Smith is keen to extend his T20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, he also voiced concerns about a new bowling trend that is making life harder for batsmen. He described the modern "wobble‑seam" delivery as sometimes "unplayable": "Some balls have your name on them and there’s nothing you can do.
If the seam is moving two degrees, you either leave it or you’re not a good batsman. If you try to hit it, you’re probably playing the wrong line. And if the ball is swinging in and hitting the top of the stumps, you’re trapped – there’s nothing you can do." Smith’s comments came amid a discussion about England’s recent 3‑0 home series win over Pakistan, where they relied on part‑time spinner Dan Lawrence to complement a four‑bowler attack featuring Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. By contrast, Australia’s selection of off‑spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain in conditions that favor seam bowling.
"When the ball is moving as much as it is, and bowlers can keep the pressure relentless by hitting the right spots, spin becomes the easiest weapon for a batsman to score off," Smith said. "It’s a shame we’ve had such ‘spicy’ wickets that spin has been under‑used.
I love playing against spin and watching spin bowlers. I was a spin bowler myself in my younger days, and I’d love to see spin feature more prominently in Test cricket again." Looking ahead, Australia’s next major red‑ball assignment is a three‑match series against 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 Tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with 11 a.m.
start times for UK and Irish viewers. Smith’s ambivalence about the 2027 Ashes reflects a broader theme in modern cricket: the balance between longevity and ambition.
As players extend their careers across formats, they must weigh the physical demands of Test cricket against the lucrative opportunities in limited‑overs and franchise leagues. For Smith, the decision will hinge on his fitness, form, and the strategic needs of the Australian team as the 2027 series approaches. If Smith does make the trip, his wealth of experience and proven ability on English pitches could prove invaluable.
His technique against swing and seam, combined with a growing comfort on spin‑friendly surfaces, positions him as a potential match‑winner. However, the uncertainty also opens the door for younger talent to stake a claim for a coveted Ashes spot, adding another layer of intrigue to the selection puzzle. Regardless of the outcome, Smith’s candidness offers fans a glimpse into the thought process of a seasoned international cricketer navigating the twilight years of his career while still chasing historic milestones.
The 2027 Ashes, whether he participates or not, will undoubtedly be a focal point for Australian cricket, and Smith’s legacy will continue to influence the team’s direction for years to come.