Steve Smith ends his ODI cricket career after announcing his retirement following Australia’s loss in the Champions Trophy.
Steve Smith ends ODI career by announcing retirement from the format. He remains committed to Test cricket and available to play T20I cricket.
Despite filling in as captain for the Champions Trophy in Pat Cummins’ absence, Smith, 35, told his teammates right away following the defeat to India that he had played his final ODI match and would not be joining Australia for the 2027 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.
“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.”
In response to enquiries about his retirement date from international cricket in recent years, Smith has long maintained that he was a series-by-series proposition in every format.
He would seem committed for at least another home summer after making mention to the Ashes later this year, but it’s unclear what happens beyond that. In 2027, away series against England and India are a possibility.
After being excluded from the 2024 T20 World Cup roster, he is not now part of Australia’s T20I plans. However, he has expressed his desire to play T20 cricket for Australia at the 2028 Olympic Games and is still eligible for selection if needed.
Despite ranking 12th on Australia’s all-time run-scorers list, Smith leaves ODIs as one of the country’s greatest batters ever. David Warner is the only player with a higher average among the five players who have scored more than his 12 ODI hundreds.
Smith had a key role in both the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup triumphs. He scored five straight fifty-plus runs in 2015, including 105 in the victory over India in the semi-final and 56 not out in the final versus New Zealand at the MCG, which included striking the game-winning runs.