Steve Smith announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket immediately after Australia’s defeat in the Champions Trophy semi-final. However, he will remain available for Test and T20 cricket.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, the 35-year-old Smith informed his teammates right after the loss to India that he had played his last ODI match. This means he will not be part of Australia’s squad for the 2027 World Cup, despite captaining the team in the Champions Trophy in Pat Cummins’ absence.
Smith stated, “It has been a great journey, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. There have been many incredible times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups with some fantastic teammates was a major highlight.”
He added that this is the right time to step aside so that others can begin preparing for the 2027 World Cup.
Smith emphasized that Test cricket remains a priority for him and that he is looking forward to the World Test Championship final, as well as the upcoming home series against the West Indies and England. He believes he still has a lot to offer at this stage.
Although Smith was excluded from Australia’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, he has expressed his desire to represent Australia in the 2028 Olympic Games in T20 cricket and remains available for selection if called upon.
Despite ranking 12th among Australia’s highest ODI run-scorers, Smith announced his retirement. Only five players have scored more ODI centuries than his 12, with David Warner being the only one among them with a better average.
Smith was part of Australia’s ODI World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023. In 2015, he scored five consecutive 50+ scores, including 105 runs against India in the semi-final and an unbeaten 56 runs against New Zealand in the final.
He was named in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year in 2015 and won Australia’s Best ODI Player award in 2014-15 and 2020-21. In 2015, he made three centuries against India at the SCG in just three days, including a 62-ball masterclass.
From 2015 to 2025, Smith captained Australia in 64 ODI matches, making him one of the most experienced Australian skippers, behind only Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, and Michael Clarke. However, he remains the only player among them who never led Australia in a World Cup.
Australia’s next ODI series is scheduled against South Africa in August.
