Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith opens up on retirement talks ahead of SCG Test

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Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has opened up on the growing speculation around his international future. Speaking on the eve of the Sydney Test, Smith shared his thoughts regarding the potential retirement, insisting he is focused solely on the present rather than setting timelines for the end of his storied career.

Smith, widely regarded as one of the finest Test batters of his generation, has been under the spotlight due to a perceived dip in output in recent seasons. While his numbers remain respectable, they have not matched the extraordinary heights he scaled during his peak years, prompting questions about how long he intends to continue.

However, Smith was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the Sydney Test could mark a farewell. He revealed that he prefers a flexible, short-term approach to his career rather than planning too far ahead. According to Smith, his enjoyment of the game and his ability to contribute meaningfully are the only factors that matter at this stage.

He explained that he is taking his journey ‘day by day, series by series,’ adding that there is no fixed end date in his mind. As long as he feels competitive and motivated, Smith believes there is no reason to step away.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing at the end of this week. I’ve said it for a while. I’m taking it day by day, series by series. We’ll see where things land. I feel like I’m doing all right at the moment. I’m enjoying it. I’m contributing and having fun. There’s no real end date for me, I suppose. I’m still playing. I’m enjoying it,” Smith told reporters.

Although critics have pointed to a decline, Smith’s record over the past few years suggests he remains a reliable performer. After averaging over 70 across multiple calendar years during his prime, he has continued to average above 50 in several recent seasons. For most batters, those figures would represent career-best numbers, highlighting the extraordinary standards Smith set for himself earlier on.

This contrast between past brilliance and present consistency has arguably fueled the retirement narrative. Yet, Smith’s comments suggest he views his current phase as an evolution rather than a downturn, adapting his game and mindset to remain effective at the highest level.

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Beyond personal form, Smith also spoke about Australia’s broader success in Test cricket. He praised the collective nature of the team’s achievements, particularly their ability to share responsibility rather than rely on individual brilliance.

Reflecting on the past few years, Smith highlighted Australia’s consistency, including multiple appearances in the World Test Championship final. He noted that different players have stepped up at crucial moments, which has been key to sustaining success in a competitive era of Test cricket.

Now one of the most experienced figures in the dressing room, Smith acknowledged that his role has evolved. Alongside contributing with the bat, he sees mentoring younger players and passing on Test-match knowledge as a key responsibility.

“I think we’ve got a really good team. I think the team we’ve had over the last three or four years, obviously making two World Test Championship finals, different people have stood up at different times. It’s never been one or two people just getting the job done. It’s been shared across and guys have done great jobs throughout and I think that’s what’s made us a really good team. So it’s been good to be a part of and, yeah, as an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of test cricket. I guess that’s my role now,” added Smith.

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