Steve Smith has announced that he would retire from One-Day Internationals after scoring the most runs by a player in Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against India on Tuesday.
After the match, Smith informed his teammates that he was stepping away from ODIs immediately but would remain available for Tests and T20 cricket.
One of Australia’s most successful players in ODIs, Smith made his debut in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder against West Indies and subsequently turned out to be a batting mainstay. He played over 170 matches, in which he gathered 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 fifties, while taking 28 wickets.
One of the figures central to Australia’s successful World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2023, having captained the ODI side from 2015, Smith played his last match as an interim captain. He was named Australian Man of ODI Year in 2015 and 2021, and featured in the ICC Men’s ODI team of the year in 2015.
Reflecting on his ODI career, Smith said: “It has been fantastic ride; I have loved every moment of it. So many great times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups was a massive highlight, alongside many great teammates who have shared the journey with me.
“For now, it feels like the perfect time to let people start looking towards the 2027 World Cup.
“Test cricket remains very important, and I look forward to the World Test Championship final, the West Indies this winter, and then against England at home. I still feel I have much contribution left to give at that level.”