Steve Smith, the seasoned Australian batsman, admitted that he "doesn't know" whether he will be part of the Australian squad that travels to England for the 2027 Ashes. The 38‑year‑old will celebrate his birthday just a couple of weeks before the opening Test at Trent Bridge in June, and the prospect of playing in another Ashes series on English soil is both tantalising and uncertain for him. Smith has never been on the winning side of an Ashes series away from home, and the 2027 contest could very well be his final opportunity to achieve that elusive triumph.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, he explained his mindset: "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 English pitches, Smith has amassed 2,334 runs at an average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties. Those numbers underline his ability to adapt to the swinging, seaming conditions that often trouble visiting batsmen. In 2025, across nine Tests, he maintained an average just above 50, and in the current season, across three matches – one against England and two versus Bangladesh – he is averaging a remarkable 61.40. When asked about his recent form, 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." His comments highlight not only his technical adjustments but also his broader role within the side, from fielding to occasional captaincy duties.
Beyond Test cricket, Smith is keen to extend his T20 career and harbours ambitions of representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where cricket is set to make a return. He also weighed in on a growing trend in modern Test bowling – the increasing use 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 challenge posed by these new seam variations has prompted discussions about the role of spin in the longer format. Smith noted that when the ball moves excessively, bowlers can create relentless pressure by repeatedly hitting the right length, making spin the "easiest thing to face and the thing that you can score freely off." He lamented the scarcity of quality spin on many recent pitches, saying, "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." England's recent 3‑0 home series win over Pakistan saw them rely heavily on a four‑bowler pace attack – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson – with only part‑time off‑spinner Dan Lawrence providing occasional variation.
This underscores a broader trend where teams often favour seam‑friendly conditions, especially in England, where the weather and pitch preparation naturally aid fast bowlers. For Australia, the selection of veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain in recent years, particularly on pitches that favour seam. Smith's comments reflect a desire for a more balanced attack that includes a greater spin component, which could influence future squad selections.
Looking ahead, 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 tours South Africa since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal that resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
The series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with all matches starting at 11 am UK and Ireland time. The upcoming South Africa tour will serve as a crucial barometer for Smith's form and fitness ahead of the potential 2027 Ashes. It will also provide an opportunity for him to test his adaptations against quality pace and spin on South African surfaces, which traditionally offer a mix of bounce and turn. His performance there could shape the selectors' decisions when they assemble the squad for England next summer.
In summary, while Steve Smith remains uncertain about his involvement in the 2027 Ashes, his impressive statistics in England, his ongoing evolution as a batsman, and his outspoken views on modern bowling techniques suggest he will continue to be a pivotal figure in Australian cricket. Whether he ultimately dons the baggy green for that historic series will depend on a combination of personal fitness, form, and the strategic direction the Australian board chooses to take in the coming years.