The star batter Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day International Cricket. His last ODI match was the Champions Trophy semifinal against India in Dubai, where he was Australia's top scorer with 73 runs, but his team fell short and lost the game. He will keep playing Test cricket and T20 Internationals, and he might aim to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where T20 cricket will be played for the first time.
The 35-year-old batter played 170 ODIs and scored 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 and a strike rate of 86.96. He scored 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries during his career. By the time he retired, he was the 12th-highest run-scorer for Australia in ODIs. His best innings was 164 runs against New Zealand in 2016. He started his career as a leg-spinning all-rounder and also took 28 wickets and 90 catches.
"It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it. There have been so many amazing times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups was a great highlight along with the many fantastic team-mates who shared the journey,” Smith said.
"Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way. Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies in the winter, and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage."
Steve Smith was a key member of Australia's World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023. After Michael Clarke retired, he became the captain of the ODI team. Under his leadership, Australia played 64 matches, winning 32 and losing 28, while four games had no result. He also stepped in as interim captain during the Champions Trophy when Pat Cummins was sidelined due to injury.
George Bailey, the chair of men's selectors said, "We fully understand and support Steve's decision to retire from One Day International cricket. Steve has said on many occasions he is approaching the remainder of his playing career on a series-by-series basis, a position which hasn't changed and one Cricket Australia supports.
"His record as a batter across 167 games is exemplary and to leave the format as a two-time World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players. From an NSP standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team," he added.
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