Steve Smith casts doubt on 2027 Ashes, eyes 2028 LA Olympics
Synopsis
Steve Smith, one of cricket's greatest modern batters, has publicly cast doubt on playing the 2027 Ashes — while revealing that the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is now his primary target. At 37, managing his career series-by-series, Smith's pivot toward franchise T20 cricket signals the twilight of a Test era and the dawn of Olympic ambition.
Key Takeaways
Steve Smith , 37 , says he is uncertain about featuring in the 2027 Ashes tour of England.
Smith is managing his Test career on a series-by-series basis and has no fixed retirement date.
His primary goal is to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics , citing it as the main reason he joined the Amsterdam Flames in the ETPL.
Smith has played 125 Tests and scored 37 centuries , currently ranked second in the world behind England's Harry Brook .
Australia face South Africa in a three-Test series in October — Smith's first Test return to South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering ban .
Senior Australia batter Steve Smith has raised doubts over his participation in the 2027 Ashes tour of England, revealing he is managing his Test career on a series-by-series basis while keeping his sights firmly set on featuring in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Smith made the remarks in an interview published on Monday, 14 September 2026, while playing for the Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) in Malahide.
The Ashes Uncertainty
Smith, aged 37, is currently the second-ranked men's Test batter in the world, behind England's Harry Brook. He has played 125 Tests, scoring 37 centuries — a record that places him among the game's modern greats. Yet despite that standing, the veteran batter was candid about his Ashes prospects.
'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, and that's still a fair way away for me right now. So, yeah, I'd love to win one there or to have won one there, but you wait and see if that comes to fruition,' Smith said.
Olympics in His Sights
The more immediate goal, Smith indicated, is cricket's debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His decision to join the Amsterdam Flames in the ETPL is directly connected to that ambition — a deliberate strategy to maximise T20 exposure ahead of the quadrennial event.
'Right now probably it's just the Olympics to try to be a part of that. One of the reasons why I wanted to play with Amsterdam here was just to continue playing as much T20 cricket as I can,' he said.
No Retirement Date Set
While acknowledging that his remaining playing time will increasingly tilt toward franchise T20 cricket, Smith stopped short of setting a firm retirement date. 'I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. What's next for me when I finish? I'm not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left playing,' he said.
Reflecting on a career spanning roughly 15 years, Smith appeared at peace with wherever the road leads. 'I've achieved a lot in the game. It's been a great ride for the last 15 years or thereabouts. I've had a lot of fun. I'm still enjoying it, so I don't have an end date, we'll wait and see. But it's been a good ride,' he added.
Return to South Africa After Ball-Tampering Ban
Before any Ashes discussion becomes relevant, Smith faces a more immediate test: Australia travel to South Africa for a three-match Test series in October, marking his first Test visit to the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that resulted in a 12-month ban from international cricket.
Smith played down the historical weight of the return. 'Oh, for me, it's just another series. All that happened a long time ago, and we've played a lot of cricket — we've been back to South Africa since then for one-dayers. They're a good side at the moment — obviously beat us in the World Test Championship final. They have a really good pace attack as well, so should be a cracker of a series,' he said.
South Africa's recent form — including their World Test Championship title — makes the upcoming series a genuine examination of Australia's Test credentials, with or without certainty about Smith's long-term future.
Point of View
Not Test series. For Cricket Australia, this creates a genuine succession problem: Smith remains the No. 2 Test batter in the world, and there is no obvious heir apparent. His 'series-by-series' framing also means Australia must plan for scenarios where their most experienced middle-order batter could withdraw at short notice — a structural vulnerability that selectors may be underplaying publicly.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Steve Smith doubtful about playing the 2027 Ashes?
Smith said he is managing his Test career on a series-by-series basis and that the 2027 Ashes 'is still a fair way away' for him right now. At 37, he has not committed to any series beyond the immediate future, making his Ashes participation uncertain.
What is Steve Smith's goal regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
Smith has identified playing in the 2028 LA Olympics as his primary near-term goal. He said joining the Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League was motivated by a desire to play as much T20 cricket as possible ahead of cricket's Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
What are Steve Smith's Test career statistics?
Smith has played 125 Tests and scored 37 centuries. He is currently ranked second in the world among men's Test batters, behind England's Harry Brook.
What is the significance of Australia's Test tour of South Africa in October 2026?
The three-match Test series in October 2026 will be Smith's first Test visit to South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that earned him a 12-month international ban. Smith has described it as 'just another series', noting that Australia have since returned to South Africa for one-day matches.
Has Steve Smith announced his retirement from cricket?
No. Smith has explicitly stated he has no fixed retirement date and still believes he can play T20 cricket 'for a while'. He said he is 'still enjoying it' and described his career as 'a great ride' while leaving his future open-ended.
