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On Wednesday, March 5, the cricketing fraternity was left in shock after veteran Australia batter and stand-in captain Steven Smith announced sudden retirement from ODIs. However, his decision came as a shock, it came after the world champions’ four-wicket defeat against India in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
With this, Smith retired as a legend for the Aussies in the fifty-over format. Making his ODI debut against West Indies as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Smith proved to be Australia’s most dependable batter. Across 170 ODIs, he has amassed 5800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. In the following article, SportsTiger will discuss three major reasons why Setven Smith may have announced his retirement from ODI cricket.
Why did Steven Smith announced retirement from ODIs?
Age not by the side
One of the main reasons for Steven Smith to announce sudden retirement could be the age factor as he is 35 years old. However, the Aussie batter has been posed with questions surrounding his future in international cricket since long now, but the Smith has time and again said that he follows the series by series proposition.
Prioritising Test cricket over ODIs
Another reason for Smith’s retirement from the longest format of white-ball cricket could be his eyes set to play the longest format of the game, Test cricket. As said quoted in a statement released by Cricket Australia, Smith spoke of prioritising Test cricket while he continues to play T20Is as well. “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 said.
Cricket Australia looking at new and budding talents for ODI World Cup 2027
Seeing Australia get knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the next major ICC event is scheduled to be held in 2027, which will be played in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Moreover, with Cricket Australia looking at some young and budding talent, Smith found it the right time to put down curtains to his 50-over career. The 35-year-old while confirming his retirement, also added, “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."
