Steve Smith says he doesn’t know if he’ll play in next summer’s Ashes in England. The 37-year-old will turn 38 a couple of weeks before the first Test at Trent Bridge next June, and he’s being honest about it.
“I don’t even know if I’ll be there yet,” Smith told The Telegraph. “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.”
The quote carries a wry note. Smith has a superb Test record in England, averaging 54.27 across 23 matches with 2,334 runs including eight hundreds and 10 half-centuries. He’s never won an Ashes series away from home, and the 2027 contest would surely represent his last chance to do so.
The Record That Makes Him Worry
Smith’s numbers in England speak for themselves. His average across nine Test outings in 2025 was a shade over 50, and in three games this year — one against England and two versus Bangladesh — he’s averaging 61.40.
He framed his current form positively. “I feel I’m batting really nicely,” he said. “I’ve found different ways to go about things on these tricky surfaces and still be able to score runs.”
His role has expanded beyond the bat. “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,” he added.
The Balls That Are Just Unplayable
Smith also took aim at a trend reshaping Test cricket: the wobble-seam delivery. He argued that bowlers perfecting that ball are making life incredibly difficult for batters.
“There are some balls now that are just unplayable,” he said. “Some of these balls have your name on it and you can’t do anything about it.”
He broke down the problem in practical terms. “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.”
Spin’s Decline and What He Wants Back
Smith is worried about the state of the game. He lamented the dwindling role for spinners in Test cricket, saying that when the ball moves as much as it does, spin becomes the easiest thing to face.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The context matters. England did not play a frontline spinner during their recent 3-0 home sweep of Pakistan. Part-time tweaker Dan Lawrence supported the four-pronged pace attack of Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon is not always a certain pick now due to seam-friendly conditions. Smith’s point is that the game has tilted away from spin, and he wants it back.
South Africa and the Long Road Ahead
Australia face South Africa this autumn in a three-match series starting October 9. It’s the first time they have tackled the Proteas away from home since the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, which led to bans for Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Smith’s next assignment is a test of his longevity. He’s already thinking about the Ashes, but he’s not committing to it.
“I’d love to win [an Ashes in England] but you wait and see if that comes to fruition,” he said.
The Schedule That Decides It All
The Ashes series runs from June through July, with all 11am starts UK and Ireland. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | Trent Bridge | June 18-22 |
| Second Test | Lord’s | June 30-July 4 |
| Third Test | Edgbaston | July 8-12 |
| Fourth Test | Utilita Bowl | July 21-25 |
| Fifth Test | The Kia Oval | July 29- August 2 |
Every game is live on Sky Sports. The question of whether Smith will be there remains open.
What This Means for the Ashes
Smith’s admission is notable because of what he has achieved. He’s one of the greats in England, and he’s openly wondering if he’ll be around to lead Australia in the biggest series of all.
The Ashes in 2027 would be his last realistic chance to win a series away from home. He’s said he’d love to win it, but he’s not guaranteeing anything.
His comments on spinners add a layer of frustration. He wants the game to change, and he wants to be part of it changing.
The next few months will tell the story. Australia’s series in South Africa starts in October, and Smith’s place in the side for the Ashes will depend on how that goes.
He’s still a formidable player, still contributing, still thinking about the future. Whether he’s at Trent Bridge in June is a question only he can answer — and he hasn’t answered it yet.
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