Steve Smith, Australian Cricket Icon, Pronounces Shock ODI Retirement | Cricket Information

One of many biggest cricketers of his era, Australia batter Steve Smith has introduced retirement from ODI cricket after the group’s elimination from ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday. Smith was named the captain of the nationwide group for the match after major skipper Pat Cummins was dominated out because of an damage. Smith led his troops all the way in which to the semi-final of the match earlier than his group was eradicated by Rohit Sharma-led India. 

Smith, who retires as probably the most prolific cricketers for Australia within the format, featured in a whopping 170 ODIs for the group, scoring 572 runs with 12 centuries whereas additionally profitable the World Cup twice. Nonetheless, the announcement signifies that Smith is not going to be part of the Australian group within the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“It has been an awesome experience, and I’ve liked each minute of it,” Smith mentioned. “There have been so many wonderful occasions and great reminiscences. Profitable two World Cups was an awesome spotlight together with the numerous improbable team-mates who shared the journey,” he added in a media launch shared by Cricket Australia.

The good Steve Smith has known as time on an outstanding ODI profession pic.twitter.com/jsKDmVSG1h

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 5, 2025

“Now is a superb alternative for folks to begin making ready for the 2027 World Cup so it looks like the suitable time to make approach,” he mentioned.

“I really feel I nonetheless have loads to contribute on that stage,” he mentioned.

“Now is a superb alternative for folks to begin making ready for the 2027 World Cup, so it looks like the suitable time to make approach,” he added.

Smith additionally attended Australia’s post-match press convention on Tuesday after the defeat in opposition to India. 

In the course of the press convention, Smith was requested concerning the expectations from Australia to do nicely in ICC occasions and what went fallacious this time. The veteran batter admitted that the inexperience within the aspect value them a spot within the remaining.

“I believe we have fairly good information in massive video games in ICC occasions and I believed the fellows turned up and did a very good job. It is clearly a little bit of inexperience in our group, notably our bowling assault. Some new guys there who I believed did a very good job as nicely. So, they are going to be higher for the publicity to a giant occasion and taking part in in opposition to world-class gamers like those we got here up in opposition to immediately and all through the match. So, loads of positives to take from it,” he mentioned within the presser. 

Smith was Australia’s top-scoring batter within the semi-final, 73 runs off 96 balls. With Smith quitting the ODI format and never a central determine within the group’s T20 setup, the Check format is the one platform the place the batter could be seen in motion.

Australia have already been in a section of rebuild after David Warner’s retirement final yr, however now should discover a succesful participant to fill within the massive boots of Steve Smith as nicely.