How Old Is Steven Smith in 2024? Age, Career, and What It Means for Cricket

Steven Smith, one of Australia’s most recognizable cricketers, turns 35 in June 2024. That puts him in the prime of his career for a batter, especially in a sport where peak performance often arrives in the mid-to-late 20s. But age is just a number when you’re averaging over 60 in Test cricket, as Smith has done for most of the past decade. Whether you’re a fan tracking his form or someone curious about how long he might keep dominating, here’s what his age really tells us about his game today.

Why Smith’s Age Stands Out in Modern Cricket

At 35, Smith is older than the average Test batter but younger than legends like Virat Kohli, who’s now 35, or Joe Root, who’s 33. What makes Smith’s age notable isn’t just the number—it’s how he’s defied expectations. After a two-year ban in 2018 for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, he returned and immediately averaged over 70 in his next 16 Test innings. That kind of resurgence is rare, especially for a player in his mid-30s.

Compare that to other aging stars: AB de Villiers retired at 37, Chris Gayle hung up his boots at 42 but struggled with consistency in his final years, and Michael Hussey played his last Test at 38. Smith, meanwhile, is still the world’s second-highest Test run-scorer since 2019, behind only Joe Root. His ability to adapt—shifting from a leg-spinner to a batter and now a senior mentor—shows that age hasn’t slowed his evolution.

The Trade-Offs of Playing at 35: What’s Changed?

Smith’s body has started showing wear and tear. He’s missed more matches in the past two years due to injuries than in his entire career before 2020. In 2023, he played only 11 of Australia’s 20 Test matches, mostly due to side strains and concussion protocols. That’s a sharp contrast to his 2015–2019 peak, when he averaged 65 and played 48 out of 50 Tests.

Yet, his technique remains razor-sharp. Smith’s unorthodox stance and quick reflexes compensate for reduced mobility. Where younger batters might struggle against short-pitched bowling, Smith’s ability to sway and pull still makes him a nightmare for bowlers. The trade-off? He’s less likely to dominate every series like he did in India in 2017 (300+ runs at 150+ average) or England in 2019 (774 runs in a single Ashes series). Today, his value lies in his experience and ability to grind out big scores when others fail.

What His Age Means for Australia’s Future

Smith’s presence in the team is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he’s a proven match-winner who can single-handedly change a game’s momentum. On the other, his injury record raises questions about Australia’s middle-order depth. With Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Usman Khawaja (37) also aging, the team risks over-relying on veterans.

For now, Smith’s role has shifted. He’s no longer the go-to batter for every situation but a senior player who stabilizes the innings. His average dropped to 52 in 2023 (from 62 in 2022), but that’s still elite. The bigger concern is whether Australia can groom younger batters to take over when Smith retires—something they’ve struggled with since the retirements of David Warner and Steve Smith’s former opening partner, Aaron Finch.

Realistic Expectations: How Long Can He Keep Going?

If Smith stays fit, he could play until the 2027 World Cup, which would make him 38. That’s not unrealistic—players like Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara thrived into their late 30s. But Smith’s body is his biggest hurdle. His back and hamstrings are under constant strain, and any major injury could force an early exit.

For fans, the best-case scenario is another 2–3 years of peak Smith: a batter who turns up in the fourth innings and bats for hours, or who anchors a chase in a pressure game. The worst case? A repeat of 2023, where injuries sideline him for months at a time. Either way, his legacy is already secure—he’s one of the greatest Test batters of his generation, and his age is just a footnote in his story.