ICC Champions Trophy: Australian Batter Steve Smith Retires From ODI Cricket

Australia March 5: Steve Smith announced his shocking retirement from ODI Cricket. The Australian batter took this emotional decision after Australia got defeated against India in the ICC Champions Trophy’s Semi Final. Steve Smith captained Australia in the tournament because Pat Cummins was unavailable. After the match, Smith took this decision of retiring from ODI Cricket but he will continue to play in Tests and T20 Internationals.

Steve Smith's official statement

“It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it. 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,” Smith 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. 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.”

Steve Smith scored 5800 runs from 170 ODIs for Australia. In that he scored 12 centuries. He became World Champion twice in his career. Steve was part of the squad of 2015 in which Australia won the World Cup. He was also part of 2023 World Cup in which Australia again won the tournament. He became the Australian captain after Michael Clarke in 2015. He continued his tenure till 2018, after that the ball tampering scandal happened and he was sacked from captaincy. He became the captain again as Pat Cummins got injured before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Steve Smith captained Australia in 64 ODIs in which he won 32 matches while he lost 28 matches. There were several moments which came in his debut year of the captaincy. He won the series against England and India. He also won the Chappell-Hardlee Trophy and also won the tri series against South Africa and West Indies in the year 2016. Recently, he won the series against West Indies where he managed to win by 3-0.

“We fully understand and support Steve’s decision to retire from One Day International cricket. 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,” Cricket Australia’s Chairman of Selectors George Bailey said.

“His record as a batter across 167 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 standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.”