Steve Smith rules out retirement talk, keeps England guessing ahead of final Ashes Test

Australia skipper Steve Smith has made it clear that retirement is not on his immediate radar, saying he has no end date in mind for his Test career as his team prepares for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England in Sydney.

Speaking on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Smith said he remains focused on enjoying his cricket and contributing on the field, even as Australia undergoes a transition phase following senior exits and injuries.

“No real end date,” says Smith

Asked whether he could still be playing in the 2027 Ashes series in England, the 36-year-old remained non-committal but emphatic about his current mindset.

“I’m taking it day by day, series by series,” Smith said. “I’m enjoying it, I’m contributing, and I’m having fun. There’s no real end date for me.”

Smith, who has played 122 Test matches and scored over 10,000 Test runs, will be among the most experienced players in the Australian XI for Sydney.

Leadership role grows after Khawaja retirement

The remarks come a day after Usman Khawaja, aged 39, announced his retirement following the Sydney Test. With Nathan Lyon sidelined due to injury, Smith and Scott Boland are set to be the oldest players in the squad.

Smith acknowledged the importance of experience at this stage.

“With Usman dropping off, he’s one of our experienced players. It probably wouldn’t be ideal if he and I went out at the same time,” Smith said, adding that he intends to continue.

Khawaja, who debuted at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2011 against England, ends a career that spanned over a decade at the top level.

Smith addresses Khawaja controversy cautiously

Smith paid tribute to Khawaja’s professionalism and preparation but declined to engage directly with Khawaja’s comments about racial stereotyping by sections of the media and former players.

“I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja,” Smith said, though he defended his teammate over criticism related to playing golf before the Perth Test, where Khawaja was later ruled out with back spasms.

“That was unfair. He’s prepared the same way for 15 years and had a pretty good career,” Smith added.

Australia keep team selection flexible for Sydney Test

With the Ashes result already decided, Smith said team selection for Sydney remains wide open, depending on pitch conditions.

“Could play a couple of all-rounders, could play a spinner, could play no spinner,” he said. “We’ll see the surface and decide.”

Australia currently lead the five-Test series 3-1, after wins in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. England snapped their long drought with a dramatic four-wicket win in Melbourne, their first Test victory in Australia in 15 years.

Focus shifts to World Test Championship

Despite retaining the Ashes, Smith stressed that the series finale still carries high stakes.

“With the World Test Championship, every game is important,” he said. “We want to finish the series 4-1 and keep winning Tests in this cycle.”

Why this matters now

Smith’s comments underline Australia’s reliance on experienced leaders during a period of squad change, while also signalling continuity ahead of future overseas challenges. With WTC points on the line, the Sydney Test remains crucial for Australia’s long-term Test ambitions.

What to watch next

• Australia’s final XI announcement for the Sydney Test.

• How Australia manage the post-Khawaja transition at the top of the order.

• The impact of the Sydney result on the World Test Championship standings.