‘It has been a great ride’: Steve Smith retires from ODI cricket but commits to Ashes summer

Former captain Steve Smith has played his last ODI for Australia but reaffirmed his commitment to Test cricket ahead of next summer’s Ashes series on home soil.

Smith, 35, stood in as captain for the ICC Champions Trophy in the absence of Pat Cummins and told teammates of his decision immediately after their four-wicket loss to India in the semi-final.

A superb one-day batter at his best, Smith sculpted 73 from 96 balls in his last 50-over innings. He had great ability to manipulate fields, accumulate through the middle overs and also go on the attack at either end of the innings.

Steve Smith scored a fighting half-century in his final ODI innings.Credit: Getty Images

“It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in announcing his decision. “There have been so many amazing times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups was a great highlight, along with the many fantastic teammates 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 in the winter, and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”

Smith in action for Australia during the Champions Trophy.Credit: AP

Smith played 170 ODI matches, from which he carved out 5800 runs at 43.28, with 12 centuries. He was an integral member of the 2015 and 2023 World Cup teams, hitting the winning runs at the MCG in the final a decade ago.

Australia’s selectors have been speaking with Smith about his availability on a series-by-series basis for some time now, and on several occasions he has been equivocal at best about how much longer he will play.

But the removal of international white-ball cricket from his calendar – Smith was not chosen for last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean – should keep him fresh for some time yet in the long form.

Usman Khawaja’s late-career flourish while playing solely as a Test batter will provide some inspiration for Smith, while there is the additional temptation to try for elusive series victories in India and England in 2027. There is also the opportunity to return to South Africa in 2026 for a happier tour than the infamous 2018 “Sandpapergate” series.

“We fully understand and support Steve’s decision to retire from one-day international cricket,” selection chair George Bailey said. “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.

“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 [national selection panel] standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.”

Smith’s exit from ODIs also symbolises the fading relevance of the format outside global tournaments. Australia are not scheduled to play them often over the next 12 months, before they become a little more frequent in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

When Smith started out for Australia in 2010, 50-over matches were still watched by decent crowds and huge audiences on free-to-air television, but they have long since been pushed to the fringes of subscription and streaming services – the Champions Trophy was accessible only on Amazon Prime.

Twenty20 cricket and privatised leagues loom ever larger, a prominent agenda item in new CA chief executive Todd Greenberg’s first week at Jolimont.

“Right up until his final ODI innings, Steve exhibited an incredible ability to accumulate runs in all conditions, and his astute leadership has been crucial in the team’s ongoing success, including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victories,” Greenberg said.

“We’re fortunate Steve still has much to offer in the Test and T20 arenas, and I look forward to witnessing the next stage of one of cricket’s great careers.”

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