Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has officially announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs), marking the end of an illustrious 14-year career in the 50-over format. He will continue to be available for Test and T20I selection.
Smith’s decision came just after Australia’s semi-final defeat to India by four wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy, where Smith top-scored with 73 runs in what turned out to be his final ODI innings. According to Cricket Australia, Smith told his teammates after the semifinal loss that he’ll retire from ODIs immediately. He said it feels like the right time to make way. It has been a great ride and he loved every minute of it, Smith said.
The 35-year-old batter leaves behind an impressive legacy. Across 170 ODIs, scoring 5800 runs at an average of 43.28 and a strike rate of 86.96, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He finished his career as the 12th-highest run-getter for Australia in ODIs. Having made his debut as a leg-spinning allrounder, he also picked 28 wickets and took 90 catches.
He captained Australia in 64 matches, winning 32 and losing 28.
Chair of Selectors George Bailey supported Smith his decision to retire from ODIs and 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.
