JNS: Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following Australia’s defeat to India in the Champions Trophy semi-final. Smith, who was part of two World Cup-winning squads, made the announcement on Wednesday, a day after India advanced to the final by defeating his side.
Smith, who was captaining Australia in place of the injured Pat Cummins, top-scored for his team in the semi-final with 73 runs on a challenging spinning wicket in Dubai. India hosted all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan due to deteriorating bilateral ties with the country.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith will remain available for selection in T20s and Tests. His decision to continue playing T20 cricket is likely motivated by his aspiration to represent Australia in the Los Angeles Olympics, where T20 cricket will be featured for the first time as a major event.
“It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a statement released by Cricket Australia. “Winning two World Cups was a huge highlight, along with the fantastic teammates who shared the journey.”
Smith also expressed that now was the right time to step away from ODIs, allowing younger players to begin preparing for the 2027 World Cup. “Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way,” he said.
Looking ahead, Smith emphasized his focus on Test cricket, particularly with the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa in England. “Test cricket remains a priority, and I’m 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,” he added.
Throughout his ODI career, Smith played 170 matches for Australia, leading the team in 64 of them. He scored a total of 5,800 runs in the format.
Cricket Australia’s new CEO, Todd Greenberg, praised Smith for his remarkable contributions to Australian cricket. “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,” Greenberg said.
