Steve Smith, the veteran Australia batter, announced his retirement from ODI cricket following his team's defeat to India in Tuesday's semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. Smith, who top-scored for Australia with 73, immediately informed his teammates that he'd played his last one-day international. The 35-year-old, however, will continue playing Tests and T20Is for his country.
"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's ODI legacy
Smith retires having scored 5800 runs from 170 ODIs for Australia, including 12 centuries, but more importantly as a two-time World Champions. He was part of Australia's World Cup-winning squads in 2015 under Michael Clarke and in 2023 under Pat Cummins. During his time with the Australian team, Smith succeeded Clarke as captain in 2015, and even though he had to give it up following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, he returned to the helm and held fort till the end with Cummins injured.
Smith led Australia in 64 ODIs, achieving 32 suffering 28 defeats. His tenure as captain boasted several standout moments, particularly in his debut year as full-time skipper, when he guided the team to series triumphs over England and India. He also secured the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and clinched a tri-series title against South Africa and the West Indies in the Caribbean in 2016. More recently, during the 2023-24 home summer, Smith steered Australia to an impressive 3-0 clean sweep against the West Indies.
"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."
Smith burst onto the international cricket scene in 2010, debuting as a leg-spinning all-rounder against the West Indies. Complementing his run-scoring feats, Smith has also chipped in with the ball, taking 28 wickets at an average of 34.67. His excellence in the 50-over format has not gone unnoticed, earning him the Australian Men's ODI Player of the Year title in both 2015 and 2021, alongside a well-deserved spot in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year in 2015.