Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, has 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 only a few weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June, and the prospect of playing in an Ashes series on English soil could be his final opportunity to win the trophy away from home. In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith explained his position: “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, and that’s still a long way off for me. I would love to win an Ashes in England, but we’ll have to see if that ever materialises.” Smith’s record in England is impressive. Over 23 Tests on those pitches he has amassed 2,334 runs at an average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties.
His form has remained strong in recent seasons: he averaged just over 50 in 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 – he is sitting on a 61.40 average. When asked about his current approach at the crease, Smith said: “I feel I’m batting very well.
I’ve discovered a few new ways to negotiate the tricky English conditions while still putting runs on the board. My aim is to contribute as much as possible – scoring runs, taking catches and helping out with leadership responsibilities where I can. It’s been an enjoyable couple of years.” Beyond Test cricket, Smith is eager 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 the longer format.
“There are some balls now that are simply unplayable,” he said. “If a ball is seaming two degrees off the line, you either leave it or you’re not a very good batsman. If it’s coming straight at the stumps and you get trapped in front, there’s nothing you can do.” The English side, during their recent 3‑0 home series win over Pakistan, relied heavily on a four‑bowler attack – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson – with part‑time spinner Dan Lawrence providing occasional relief.
By contrast, Australia cannot always count on Nathan Lyon in seam‑friendly conditions, which has sparked a broader debate about the role of spin in modern Test cricket. Smith remarked: “When the ball is moving as much as it is and bowlers can keep the pressure on by hitting the right spots, spin becomes the easiest weapon to use and the easiest thing to score off. It’s a shame we’ve had such ‘spicy’ wickets that spin has become almost redundant, because I love facing spin.
I used to bowl spin myself, and I’d love to see it feature more prominently again in Tests.” Australia’s next major red‑ball assignment is a three‑match 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. All three Tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with 11 a.m. start times for viewers in the UK and Ireland.
The uncertainty surrounding Smith’s future involvement in the 2027 Ashes reflects a broader question about the longevity of elite batsmen in the modern game. While his statistical record suggests he still has plenty to offer, the physical demands of a five‑Test series in English conditions, coupled with his ambitions in the shorter formats, may influence his decision. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as the Australian selectors finalize their squad for the upcoming South Africa tour, which could serve as a litmus test for Smith’s form and fitness ahead of the next Ashes.
If Smith does make the trip, his experience and proven ability to thrive on English pitches could prove invaluable. His average of over 54 in England is among the best for any modern Australian batsman, and his knack for converting starts into big scores – eight centuries in those 23 matches – would provide a solid foundation for the team. Moreover, his leadership qualities, having captained Australia in the past, could help steady a side that is currently navigating a transition period after the retirement of several senior players.
Conversely, if he opts out, Australia will need to look to younger talent to fill the void. The team’s recent performances have shown depth in the batting order, with players like Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green stepping up in recent series. Nonetheless, the loss of a player of Smith’s calibre in a high‑stakes series such as the Ashes would be felt keenly, both on the field and in the dressing room.
In summary, while Smith’s words suggest a cautious, series‑by‑series approach to his career, the allure of finally clinching an Ashes victory on English soil may still be a powerful motivator. Whether he will be part of the 2027 squad remains to be seen, but his contributions to Australian cricket – both past and present – continue to be a vital part of the nation’s sporting narrative.