'Want to play as much T20 cricket as I can': Steve Smith unsure of playing next Ashes series but wants to compete at LA Olympics

Steve Smith says he does not know if he will play in next summer's Ashes series in England.

The Australian batter's primary remaining ambition is to represent his country at the 2028 LA Olympics.

He is currently playing for Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League to stay sharp in the format.

Steve Smith is unsure of playing next in the Ashes series but wants to compete at the LA Olympics

Few batters of the modern era have made themselves as synonymous with Test cricket as Steve Smith. The former Australia skipper has spent 15 years as the core of the Aussies' top order, and in over 41 Tests, he has remained one of the names the English fear most. But now at 37, that magic still seems to be working.

With 13 centuries and 3703 runs at an average of 56.10, his legacy in both the Ashes and Test cricket has long been cemented. And as the 2027 Ashes draw closer, Australia is bound to knock on his door to help them retain the urn once again. But this time, Smith isn't sure he has the answer to the English question.

Speaking to The Telegraph while playing for Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League, Smith made it clear that winning a maiden Ashes series in England isn't enough to continue his Test career. An away Ashes win might be the only thing left for Smith to win, but it seems he isn't even interested in winning it.

Why Steve Smith is unsure about playing the 2027 Ashes in England

He remained candid when asked if he will be there in England to make it happen. "I don't even know if I'll be there yet," Smith said, admitting he could retire from Test cricket before next summer arrives. He stressed that he's not thinking that far ahead for now. "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," he said.

He admitted that winning an away Ashes series is still on his bucket list. But that's not on top of that list. He continued, "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." Instead, his clearest remaining target in the game lies way below the Ashes.

With cricket returning to the Olympics for the first time in 128 years at Los Angeles in 2028, with six men's and women's T20 sides competing, Smith, who turns 39 shortly before the Games, is determined to be involved. "Right now probably it's just the Olympics to try to be a part of that," Smith said of his remaining ambitions.

It also gave him a chance to brush up on his T20 play. "One of the reasons why I wanted to play with Amsterdam here was just to continue playing as much T20 cricket as I can," Smith said. It also gave him the chance to learn more about new markets while allowing him to impart some knowledge to associate nation members and players.

Why Smith's uncertainty says more about the schedule than his form

But beyond his Olympic ambitions, there don't seem to be any other reasons for him to put Test cricket on hold for now.

He remains number two on the Test rankings, only behind Harry Brook, and maintains an average of 49.4 over the last two years. That keeps him the best batter the Aussies can have despite his age.

For Smith, age or fitness isn't the reason he wants to avoid looking too far into his future in the longest format; rather, he wants to give it time. Committing to a series that's months away while splitting his focus on multiple goals will only dilute his performance in any of them.

With an opportunity to make it to the squad that gets sent to the USA, extra focus on franchise cricket will only help him keep himself ready for the shortest format.

If Smith does walk away from Test cricket before next summer, it will simply be the end of a career that has seen Smith win every trophy possible and then some.

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