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Australia's ODI captain Steve Smith has announced his retirement from ODI cricket on March 5. The announcement comes hours after Australia's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal exit with a four-wicket loss against India on March 4 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
"It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it," Smith said in a media release.
"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 ODI World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way."
Smith will continue to play Test cricket for Australia and will be available for the Ashes 2025-26 at home.
"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," the 35-year-old added.
No T20I retirement from Smith yet
While Smith hasn't played T20Is since February 2024, he has not retired from the format yet. He was not picked in Australia's squad for T20 World Cup 2024. But, Smith has been in tremendous form in the Big Bash League (BBL) and had expressed his desire to represent Australia in Los Angeles Olympics 2028 as cricket makes a return after more than a century.
Smith's last ODI knock
In the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, Smith was the top-scorer for his team. He scored 73 runs from 96 balls, including four fours and one six. In the 37th over, he failed to pick Mohammed Shami's full toss and got bowled while advancing down the wicket.
Smith's ODI career
Smith has played 170 ODIs and scored 5,800 runs from 154 innings at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
Smith made his ODI debut in February 2010 against West Indies as a spin-bowling all-rounder. The leg-spinner claimed two wickets and conceded 78 runs from 9.5 overs as Australia won by 125 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He has been part of Australia's ODI World Cup-winning squads in 2015 and 2023 editions.
Smith's ODI captaincy record
Smith has led Australia in 64 ODIs. Australia have won 32, lost under his leadership whereas four ended in no result. His win percentage of 50 is the worst for Australia in the format (at least 10 ODIs as captain) since Kim Hughes in 1984. Smith did not get to captain Australia in ODI World Cup 2019 as he faced leadership ban from Cricket Australia (CA) for his involvement in ball-tampering scandal on South African soil.
