• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Steve Smith Breaks Silence On Test Retirement As Ashes Finale Looms At Scg

Steve Smith breaks silence on Test retirement as Ashes finale looms at SCG

Akshita Patel

Steve Smith opens up on Test future [Source: @CatchOfThe40986/X.com]Steve Smith opens up on Test future [Source: @CatchOfThe40986/X.com]

Steve Smith has firmly shut down speculation about his retirement, making it clear that he is not thinking too far ahead as Australia prepare for the fifth and final Ashes 2025 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Smith’s golden run between 2014 and 2019 saw him dominate world cricket, averaging over 70 and producing match-winning performances almost series after series. 

While his numbers in recent years have dipped slightly by those lofty standards, they are still impressive. He has averaged above 50 in several recent seasons.

Captain Steve Smith has no plan to retire anytime soon

Speaking to the media on the eve of the SCG Test, Australia captain Steve Smith said he is taking his career day by day and remains fully committed to Test cricket. 

At 36, Smith acknowledged that he is no longer at the extraordinary peak he once enjoyed but stressed that talk of an imminent retirement is premature.

“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 said.

Smith credits entire team for Australia's success

The stand-in captain also pointed out that Australia’s recent success has not depended on one individual carrying the team. Instead, different players have stepped up at different times. 

Australia have reached two WTC finals in the past few years, something Steve Smith believes is due to the strength and balance of the side.

“I think we ’ve got a really good team. 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. 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," he added.

How has Smith performed in the Ashes 2025-26? 

In Ashes 2025-26, Steve Smith had the added responsibility of being the stand-in captain in the absence of injured Pat Cummins in three out of the first four Tests. He fulfilled that job well by guiding Australia to a 3-1 unassailable lead.

As with the bat, Smith scored 136 runs in 6 innings with a 45.33 average. He had to miss the Adelaide Test due to illness, yet managed to make his mark.