Australian cricket stalwart Steve Smith has firmly dismissed any suggestion of imminent retirement, declaring his intention to continue playing despite teammate Usman Khawaja's impending departure from the international stage.
Smith Commits to Future Amid Khawaja Farewell
The stand-in skipper, aged 36, finds himself as the elder statesman of the Australian side following Khawaja's decision to retire after the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Khawaja, who celebrated his 39th birthday last month, will bow out as England finally secured their first Ashes Test victory on Australian soil in 15 years.
Smith, who relinquished ODI cricket in March 2025, is no stranger to speculation regarding his career timeline. However, he has made his position unequivocally clear. "I want to keep playing, I'm still enjoying it," Smith stated. "We've got a really good team."
Focus on the 2027 Ashes Tour
Smith's commitment raises the tantalising prospect of one final Ashes campaign in England in 2027, a series where he has yet to taste series victory. Australia's schedule includes an eight-month break from Test cricket, followed by a packed programme of up to 21 matches leading into that tour.
Explaining his thought process, Smith said, "With Usman dropping off now, that's one of our experienced players and it probably wouldn't be ideal if he and I both went out this week, for instance." He added, "I've said for a while I'm taking it day by day, series by series... I feel like I'm doing alright at the moment, I'm contributing and having fun so there's no real end date for me, I suppose."
Team Selection for Final Test
As the series concludes, Australia leads 3-1 and is pushing for a 4-1 triumph at the SCG. Team selection remains undecided, with all-rounder Cameron Green's place under scrutiny after a modest series. Beau Webster is a potential replacement, while a pitch inspection will determine if spinner Todd Murphy makes his home debut.
Smith's declaration provides stability for the Australian setup as they navigate the transition following Khawaja's exit, ensuring a core of experienced leadership remains for the challenges ahead, most notably the coveted 2027 Ashes series in England.
