Steve Smith, Australian Cricket Icon, Announces Shock ODI Retirement

One of the greatest cricketers of his generation, Australia batter Steve Smith has announced retirement from ODI cricket after the team's elimination from ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday. Smith was named the captain of the national team for the tournament after primary skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out due to an injury. Smith led his troops all the way to the semi-final of the tournament before his team was eliminated by Rohit Sharma-led India. 

Smith, who retires as one of the most prolific cricketers for Australia in the format, featured in a whopping 170 ODIs for the team, scoring 572 runs with 12 centuries while also winning the World Cup twice. However, the announcement means that Smith will not be a part of the Australian team in the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it," Smith said. "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," he added in a media release shared by Cricket Australia.

The great Steve Smith has called time on a superb ODI career pic.twitter.com/jsKDmVSG1h

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 5, 2025

"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," he said.

"I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage," he 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," he added.

Smith also attended Australia's post-match press conference on Tuesday after the defeat against India. 

During the press conference, Smith was asked about the expectations from Australia to do well in ICC events and what went wrong this time. The veteran batter admitted that the inexperience in the side cost them a spot in the final.

"I think we've got pretty good records in big games in ICC events and I thought the guys turned up and did a really good job. It's obviously a bit of inexperience in our team, particularly our bowling attack. Some new guys there who I thought did a really good job as well. So, they're going to be better for the exposure to a big event and playing against world-class players like the ones we came up against today and throughout the tournament. So, plenty of positives to take from it," he said in the presser. 

Smith was Australia's top-scoring batter in the semi-final, 73 runs off 96 balls. With Smith quitting the ODI format and not a central figure in the team's T20 setup, the Test format is the only platform where the batter would be seen in action.

Australia have already been in a phase of rebuild after David Warner's retirement last year, but now have to find a capable player to fill in the big boots of Steve Smith as well. 

Topics mentioned in this article

Australia Cricket Team Steve Smith Cricket ICC Champions Trophy 2025