Mystery lingers over Australia's fifth Test side as Steve Smith shuts down retirement talk
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SCG: Steve Smith has shut down any talk he could join Usman Khawaja in retiring after the fifth Ashes Test as he failed to name a team.
Australia's morning press conference was behind schedule but it wasn't a case of planning a big announcement with Smith now likely to continue his career at 36.
"Nah," he replied bluntly when asked if this could be his last Test.
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Earlier, Smith wasn't willing to look too far ahead as Australia plans for a bumper schedule of Test matches with home series' against Bangladesh and New Zealand along with tours of South Africa, India and England all before the end of 2027.
Steve Smith speaks to media before the fifth Test Nine
"I don't know what I'm doing next week," he said.
"I'm taking it day by day, series by series and 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 so there's no real end date for me."
Later Smith said "don't read into that too much" about his series by series comment and that he's looking to play as long as possible. The stand-in captain also admitted it "wouldn't be ideal" if he and Khawaja bowed out at the same time.
As for Australia's team, Smith said "all options are on the table" having not inspected the SCG pitch prior to the press conference.
Usually the captain will name the side or at least 12 players the day before the Test.
Rainfall and a lack of sunlight has impacted Australia's ability to check exactly how the pitch will play.
Ground staff at the SCG took the covers off at 10:20am (AEDT) with a green tinge still showing.
"We couple play a couple of all-rounders, could play a spinner, or no spinner," Smith said.
Off-spinner Todd Murphy missed out on selection at the MCG but it would be a big surprise if Australia went with a four-man pace attack for the final Test.
Beau Webster also looms as an option considering Cameron Green has struggled for runs across the series. Webster can bowl spin but is predominantly a medium pacer.
Smith backed Green to convert his starts but confirmed that "no one is locked in yet" for the SCG Test including the talented 26-year-old.
Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser all bowled at training on Friday.
