Australia's prolific batter Steve Smith, hailed as one of cricket’s modern greats, has announced his retirement from ODI cricket following Australia’s exit from the ICC Champions Trophy.
Smith, who stepped in as captain due to Pat Cummins’ injury, led the team to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Rohit Sharma’s India.
A stalwart of Australian cricket, Smith played 170 ODIs, amassing 572 runs and recording 12 centuries while clinching two World Cup victories.
His retirement signals his absence from the Australian squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Reflecting on his career, Smith remarked, "It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it," adding that winning two World Cups and playing alongside remarkable teammates were career highlights. "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," he stated.
In a post-match press conference after the loss to India, Smith addressed Australia's expectations in ICC events, attributing the loss to the squad's inexperience, particularly within the bowling attack.
"I think we've got pretty good records in big games in ICC events," he noted, crediting the team for their performance and highlighting the invaluable experience gained by the newer players.
Smith was the standout performer for Australia in the semi-final, scoring 73 runs off 96 balls. With his departure from the ODI scene and limited involvement in T20 Internationals, Smith's focus now shifts exclusively to Test cricket.
As Australia continues to rebuild following David Warner's retirement last year, they face the challenge of finding a worthy successor to fill the considerable void left by Smith.