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 series. The 38‑year‑old will be just weeks away from his birthday when the first Test at Trent Bridge kicks off next June, and the prospect of playing in an Ashes series on English soil for the final time is an intriguing one for the former captain. Smith has never been part of a winning Ashes campaign away from home, and the 2027 contest would likely be his last realistic opportunity to achieve that milestone. In a conversation 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 impressive average of 54.27, including eight centuries and ten fifties. Even in recent seasons his numbers have remained strong. In 2025 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 versus Bangladesh – his average sits at a lofty 61.40.

When asked about his current 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." Beyond the longer format, Smith is also keen to extend his T20 career and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut as a medal sport.

He also shared his thoughts on a growing trend in Test bowling: 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 English side, during their recent 3‑0 home series win over Pakistan, opted not to field a specialist spinner, relying instead on part‑timer Dan Lawrence and a quartet of pacemen – Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. For Australia, the selection of veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon has become less certain in seam‑friendly conditions, prompting Smith to voice his desire for more spin in the game.

"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 series in South Africa beginning on 9 October.

This will be the first time the Australian side has toured the Proteas away from home since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal that resulted in bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The South African series will be a crucial test of form and fitness ahead of any decision about the Ashes. All three Tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the 11 am UK and Ireland start times providing a convenient window for fans across Europe.

Whether Smith ultimately makes the trip to England in 2027 remains to be seen, but his continued success in both Test and limited‑overs cricket suggests he will remain a valuable asset for Australia for the foreseeable future.