Steve Smith has ended his career in one-day international cricket following Australia’s Champions Trophy semifinal defeat to India. Cricket Australia made the announcement, acknowledging Smith’s departure from the 50-over version of the sport. Despite stepping away from ODIs, the former captain will continue to represent Australia in test cricket and remains open for selection in the Twenty20 format.
Smith’s retirement means the 35-year-old will not participate in Australia’s World Cup defense in 2027. He recently took on the captaincy, filling in for Pat Cummins during the Champions Trophy held in Pakistan. In his final ODI appearance, Smith scored the highest for Australia with 76 runs from 96 balls, but the team succumbed to a four-wicket loss against India in Dubai, narrowly missing a spot in the tournament final.
Reflecting on his career, Smith noted his participation in Australia’s successful ODI World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2023 as significant achievements. “It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith expressed in a statement, emphasizing the importance of allowing new talent to prepare for the 2027 World Cup.
Smith’s test cricket career boasts impressive statistics—he has amassed 10,271 runs in 116 matches, including 36 centuries and 41 half-centuries, with an average of 56.74 per innings. His future engagements include defending the World Test Championship in the final against South Africa at Lord’s in June and participating in Australia’s test series against the Caribbean. The Ashes series against England, set to commence in November, will also keep him occupied.
In a statement, Smith reaffirmed his dedication to test cricket, expressing enthusiasm for upcoming fixtures, including the World Test Championship and the Ashes. “I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage,” he stated.
Since debuting internationally in 2010 as a leg-spinning allrounder against the West Indies, Smith has played 170 ODIs, scoring 5,800 runs with an average of 43.28, inclusive of 12 centuries. His accolades include earning Australia’s ODI player of the year recognition in 2015 and 2021 and being named in the International Cricket Council’s ODI team of the year in 2015.
George Bailey, Australia’s selection committee chairman, praised Smith’s continued commitment to test cricket, highlighting his influential role within the team. “To leave the format as a two-time World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players,” Bailey affirmed, underscoring Smith’s substantial impact and legacy in the ODI format.
