Aussie legend Steve Smith has retired from the ODIs, and has left behind a rich legacy and a lot of runs in the bank. Though not as great as the Virat Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas of the world, but the unconventional Smith, who started out as an all-rounder, made a place of his own. In 170 ODIs, he finished with 5800 runs at an average of 43.28, with 12 tons and 35 fifties, including a 73 vs India in the Champions Trophy semis, that turned out to be his last innings.
Steve Smith — 7/10 as ODI Batter
If one breaks down his World Cup and Champions Trophy record, they are both good, with better numbers in the latter. Starting with the WCs, in 34 matches, he went on to score 1136 runs at an average of 42, with one ton and 10 fifties. In the CT, in 6 matches he scored 183 runs at an average of 61, and two fifties.
His glorious career saw him win two World Cups too — in 2015 and then in 2023. But then, there is just one regret Steve Smith could have, looking back at his ODI career. Despite performing so well in the World Cups and the Champions Trophy, he could never win an ICC event as the skipper of the Aussie side.
Never Captained in ODI World Cups, Gets 6/10 for Champions Trophy
Surprisingly enough, he never led his side in any of the World Cups — in 2015 Michael Clarke led the side, followed by Aaron Finch in 2019 and then Pat Cummins in 2023. Post 2018, he never really assumed the leader duties, more so because of the infamous sandpaper gate — which just robbed him of a couple of chances for sure.
In the Champions Trophy, including the 2025 edition, he led the side twice, but without much success. In 2017, two of Australia’s games were washed out due to rain, and they lost their third to hosts England. And now, this time with two matches being washed out, they still made it to the semis, only to lose to India.
Make no mistake, Steve Smith was a decent captain for Australia in ODIs — in 64 matches he won 32 and lost 28, but just wasn’t leading the team due to circumstances created by own. Or else, his record as ODI captain would have been much better.
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