Steve Smith: The Unfinished Masterclass of Australian Cricket
In the cauldron of the SCG, with the 2025-26 Ashes already secured, Steve Smith did more than just lead Australia. He broke a 138-year tradition, fielding a team without a specialist spinner at the famous ground. This bold, history-making move is a perfect metaphor for Smith’s current career phase: defiant, unpredictable, and utterly focused on the team’s next victory. Far from winding down, the stand-in skipper is in the midst of a compelling personal resurgence, batting away retirement talk with the same precision he once used to dissect bowling attacks.
After a period where whispers about his form grew louder, Smith has roared back with consecutive centuries in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, proving a key point: there’s a world of difference between being out of runs and being out of form. Now, as the elder statesman following Usman Khawaja’s retirement, Smith’s journey is about legacy, leadership, and proving he’s “not done yet.”
The Captain’s Call: Rewriting History at the SCG
Steve Smith’s tenure as stand-in captain during the Ashes will be remembered for a single, staggering team sheet. For the first time since 1888, Australia named a playing XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground without a specialist spinner. The decision, driven by conditions and a packed pace attack, showcased Smith’s pragmatic and aggressive leadership style.
“I hate it,” Smith admitted with a wry smile when discussing the historic omission, acknowledging the weight of tradition while firmly standing by his team’s tactical choice for the final Test.
The Technical Rebirth: From Scratchy to Sublime
Smith’s recent return to prolific run-scoring is no accident. It’s the result of relentless self-analysis and subtle technical tinkering. During a challenging 2024, his Test average dipped to 23.20 across 13 innings. The exaggerated back-foot trigger movement, once his trademark, was scrutinised. The breakthrough came with a minor adjustment, helping him feel “lighter” and more balanced at the crease.
The result was a classic Smith masterclass at the Gabba against India, where a scratchy start transformed into a dominant partnership with Travis Head. This innings signalled that the genius had successfully recalibrated his game.
Smith’s Form Resurrection: BGT 2024-25 at a Glance
| Match (vs India) | Runs | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Test (MCG) | 140 | Back-to-back centuries, highly entertaining knock. |
| Brisbane Test (Gabba) | 110* | Rediscovered rhythm in a dominant partnership with Travis Head. |
“Not Done Yet”: Firmly Shutting Down Retirement Talk
With the retirement of Usman Khawaja after the Sydney Test, speculation naturally turned to 36-year-old Steve Smith. His response has been unequivocal and consistent. He is not following his teammate into retirement anytime soon.
“I’m enjoying my cricket. I’m taking it day-by-day, series-by-series, and we’ll see where things land,” Smith stated ahead of the fifth Ashes Test. He emphasised that as long as he is contributing and enjoying the game, retirement is not a focus.
His motivation remains high, with World Test Championship points adding significance to every match, even in a decided Ashes series.
Steve Smith: Career Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven Peter Devereux Smith |
| Test Matches (as of Jan 2026) | 122+ |
| Test Runs | 10,000+ |
| Current Role | Top-Order Batter, Stand-in Test Captain |
| Recent Milestone | First Australian captain since 1888 to field an SCG Test XI without a specialist spinner. |
Unwavering Support and Looking Ahead
Smith’s leadership extends off the field. He publicly and fully backed Usman Khawaja’s claims of being unfairly treated after the first Ashes Test, showing solidarity with his former opening partner. This, combined with his tactical boldness, paints a picture of a leader who trusts his instincts and his team.
While the Ashes are secured, Smith’s immediate goal is a 4-1 series victory in Sydney. Beyond that, his journey continues. The man who once averaged 23.20 in a calendar year is now averaging a statement: his story is still being written, one classic innings at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steve Smith retiring after the 2025-26 Ashes?
No. Steve Smith has clearly dismissed retirement rumours. He has stated he is “enjoying his cricket” and is taking his career “day-by-day, series-by-series,” with no immediate plans to retire.
What history did Steve Smith make as captain at the SCG?
For the first time in 138 years, since 1888, an Australian captain (Steve Smith) selected a playing XI for a Sydney Test match that did not include a specialist spinner. This broke a long-standing tradition at the spin-friendly ground.
How has Steve Smith’s batting form been recently?
After a lean patch in 2024, Smith has resurrected his form spectacularly. He scored back-to-back centuries (140 at the MCG and 110* at the Gabba) in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, demonstrating he has successfully worked through his technical challenges.
What did Steve Smith say about Usman Khawaja’s claims?
Steve Smith fully supported Khawaja’s explosive claim that he was unfairly treated following the opening Ashes Test. Smith made it clear he backed his teammate’s stance completely.