Star Australian batter Steve Smith’s manager Warren Craig has denied speculation about the former captain retiring from Test cricket after the forthcoming home summer. Notably, Smith has averaged 34 since the end of the previous home season, which included trips to India and England. He had a productive home season, including a century against the West Indies in Perth. While the former captain played a significant role in Australia’s World Test Championship final victory this summer, he didn’t quite show up for the 2023 World Cup.

“I can debunk that at this point in time,” Craig told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He’s still talking about things he wants to achieve.” While Smith has accomplished more than most, having won World Cups at T20 and ODI levels, as well as Ashes series victories and a World Test Championship with Australia in 2023, the batting great still has several important career milestones to cross off his list.

Smith was compelled to refute the retirement rumours in July after the former England captain claimed to have heard unattributed “whispers” within cricket circles that the batting legend was about to put up his gloves. “I’m not retiring. I have no idea (where it’s come from), because I haven’t said it to anyone. I am not going anywhere yet,” Smith said at the time.

With Warner confirming his intention to retire from Test cricket following the January home Test against Pakistan at the SCG, the spotlight has switched to Smith and other senior players of Australia’s Test team in their mid-30s. Usman Khawaja (36) and Nathan Lyon (36) are also amongst the senior members of Australia’s Test squad, with Lyon expressing a wish to return to England for the next away Ashes series in 2027.