New Delhi: Steve Smith has announced his immediate retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket, following Australia’s four-wicket semi-final loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy Tuesday. He will however, continue to play Tests and T20 internationals.
Steve Smith was the top scorer for Australia in the semi-final clash against India with a valiant knock of 73 that helped his team reach 264.
Announcing his retirement, Steve Smith said, “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.”
“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 tour in the winter and then England tour at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute,” he added.
After his debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Smith played 170 ODIs, scoring 5,800 runs, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with an average of 43.28. He has 28 wickets against his name at an average of 34.67.
A batting genius, Smith didn’t get to bat in his debut ODI against West Indies, but took 2/78 instead. His first ODI century came against Pakistan at Sharjah in October 2014, with a match-winning 101 that earned him the Man of the Match award.
A key member of Australia’s 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup-winning teams, Smith captained the ODI side in 2015 and again in his final match, filling in for Pat Cummins. His ODI honours include being named Australian Men’s ODI Player of the Year in 2015 and 2021, and a spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year in 2015.
In a post on Instagram, Smith said: “It’s time to close the chapter on my ODI career. It’s been such a pleasure wearing the canary yellow, and I’m super proud to have been part of 2 World Cup-winning teams along the way. Thanks to everyone for all of the support. It’s been one hell of a ride.”
Smith struck the winning boundary as Australia defeated New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), securing Australia’s fifth World Cup title and cementing his place in Australian cricket history. The ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal in 2018, following which he was banned for a year, remains a dark cloud on his career.
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics, played in the T20 format, is a key reason he hasn’t retired from the white-ball formats.
(Edited by Sudha V)
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