Day after Champions Trophy exit, Steve Smith retires from ODIs
Steve Smith was the interim Australia captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury
Steve Smith was the interim Australia captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury
Steve Smith was the interim Australia captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury
Steve Smith was the interim Australia captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury
A day after Australia crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following a four-wicket loss to India in the semifinal in Dubai, stand-in skipper and batting great Steve Smith announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals. He will continue to play Tests and T20 Internationals.
Smith top-scored for the Aussies in the semifinal yesterday, making a 96-ball 73, and was involved in three fifty-plus stands – 52 with Travis Head (39) for the second wicket, 56 for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and 54 for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey (61) – to guide Australia to 264.
However, India chased down the target in 48.1 overs, with Player of the Match Virat Kohli (84) anchoring yet another chase, and Shreyas Iyer (45) and KL Rahul (42 not out) making important contributions.
A statement from Cricket Australia said that Smith, 35, informed his teammates of the decision after the semifinal loss.
"It feels like the right time to make way. It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it," Smith said. "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," he added.
Smith made his debut in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, but went on to become one of the greatest ODI batters of this era, being part of the ‘Big 4’, comprising Kohli, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. He played 170 matches, scoring 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, with 12 centuries.