Steve Smith retires: Changing of the guard begins as modern great retires from ODIs
Steve Smith has made a huge call on his future in Australia’s One Day International team, and, as BEN HORNE reveals, he might be the first domino to fall before the next World Cup.
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Steve Smith might be the first domino to fall, but he won’t be the last.
With the next ODI World Cup still two years away, Smith on Wednesday announced his decision to retire from 50-over cricket, amid whispers fellow white ball great Glenn Maxwell may also be weighing up his future in the format in conjunction with Australian selectors.
There are also severe doubts over whether Australia’s fast bowling veterans led by Mitchell Starc will make it to South Africa in 2027, to chase what would be a third ODI World Cup crown, meaning the changing of the guard the national team has been bracing for is now officially imminent.
Smith has declared he will forge ahead in Test cricket towards this summer’s Ashes and also has dreams of a T20 cricket berth with Australia at the Los Angeles Olympics, but his 73 against India in Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final loss will be his final ODI outing after informing teammates in the Dubai dressing rooms.
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A two-time World Cup champion, including the man who hit the winning runs for Australia in the 2015 home classic at the MCG, leaves a massive void after amassing 5800 ODI runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries.
“It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said.
“There have been 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’s intentions were flagged when he signed to play in The Hundred in the UK last month in a T20 franchise tournament that clashes with Australia’s ODI series against South Africa in the Top End later this year.
Maxwell still doesn’t have a Hundred contract at this stage, and it’s understood his future is set to hinge on mutual agreement with selectors.
If Australia wants the 36-year-old x-factor to play onto the 2027 ODI World Cup, he would do it, but Maxwell also doesn’t want to stand in the way of progress if selectors are eyeing a chance to regenerate.
With no obvious replacement for Maxwell, it’s not beyond the realms that the lower-hitting all-rounder could play on for several years if his form holds up.
Australia flagged its intentions with Cooper Connolly in the Champions Trophy semi-final that he is a batsman, with spin bowling capabilities, they’re determined to bring on, however the West Australian struggled opening the batting against India on the big stage.
Australia’s three quicks Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood all would have been fit for the Champions Trophy if it were a World Cup, but a management decision was made to let them heal niggling injuries ahead of June’s World Test Championship Final.
Starc would be 37 by the time the next ODI World Cup comes around and he has made it clear his priority will be Test cricket as he heads into the twilight of his stellar career, while Josh Hazlewood, who will be 36 by South Africa, is going to have to pick and choose his assignments wisely from here on out given his recent injury battles.
Marcus Stoinis, another member of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad, has already retired, while Mitchell Marsh – ruled out of the Champions Trophy with injury – is another man who at 33 is not getting any younger two years out from the next World Cup.
New Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg paid tribute to Smith, who was Australian ODI player of the year in 2015 and 2021 and a member of the ICC ODI team of the year in 2015.
“Congratulations to Steve on an amazing one day international career during which he has made a vast contribution to Australia’s performances in the 50-over format,” Greenberg said.
“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.
“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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