Steven Smith announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket immediately after Australia’s semi-final loss to India in the Champions Trophy. However, he will continue playing in Test cricket and T20Is.
Smith, 35, told his team-mates right after the loss in Dubai on Tuesday that he had played his final ODI match. This means he will not be part of Australia’s team for the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite stepping in as captain during the Champions Trophy while Pat Cummins was absent.
“It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a statement. “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.”
“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.”
Smith has often said that he views his career one series at a time. His mention of the Ashes this year indicates he plans to play for at least one more summer at home, though his future after that remains uncertain, especially with upcoming series against India and England in 2027.
Though he is no longer part of Australia’s T20I plans, having been excluded from the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, Smith has expressed interest in representing Australia in T20 cricket at the 2028 Olympics. He remains available for selection if required.
Smith retires from ODIs as one of Australia’s best-ever batters in the format, ranking 12th on the all-time Australian run-scorers’ list. He has scored 12 ODI centuries, with only David Warner having a better average among the top five.
Smith played a crucial role in Australia’s ODI World Cup victories in 2015 and 2023. In 2015, he made five consecutive scores above fifty, including 105 in the semi-final against India and 56 not out in the final against New Zealand at the MCG, where he also hit the winning runs.
He was named in the ICC men’s ODI team of the year in 2015 and was Australia’s ODI player of the year in 2014-15 and 2020-21. In 2020-21, he scored three centuries, including two outstanding back-to-back 62-ball centuries against India at the SCG.
Smith captained Australia in 64 ODIs from 2015 to 2025. Only Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, and Michael Clarke have led Australia more times, although Smith is the only one not to have captained the team in a World Cup.
George Bailey, the chair of selectors, praised Smith’s decision. “We fully understand and support Steve’s decision to retire from One Day International cricket,” Bailey said. “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 170 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 [national selection panel] standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.”
New Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also acknowledged Smith’s contributions. “Congratulations to Steve on an amazing One-Day International career during which he has made a vast contribution to Australia’s performances in the 50-over format.”
Australia’s next ODIs are scheduled for August against South Africa. Smith has committed to playing for Welsh Fire in the Hundred at the same time, and his retirement from ODIs should allow him to focus more on franchise cricket as he approaches the final stages of his career.
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