Yesterday, another modern-day Australian great called time on his ODI career a day after he top-scored for his side but could not deliver what was expected off of him.
Steve Smith announced his retirement from one-day international cricket on Wednesday after captaining Australia to a semi-final exit at the ICC Champions Trophy, bringing down the curtain on a career in the format that included two World Cup wins.
The reigning world champions lost by four wickets in Dubai as they failed to defend a below-par total of 264 all out.
Virat Kohli hit 84 as India beat Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday.
Skipper Steve Smith and Alex Carey hit half-centuries as Australia made 264 all out against India in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday.
Smith, who recently captained Australia to victory over England in the ongoing Champions Trophy, has signed to play for Welsh Fire, coached by former Australia batsman Mike Hussey.
The current ODI world champions suffered huge blows ahead of the 50-over tournament when they lost fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to ankle and hip injuries respectively and Mitchell Starc, who is out due to personal reasons.
The team suffered consecutive losses in the two-match series. In the first ODI, Australia were bowled out for 165 in a chase of 215, while in the second clash, Australia once again struggled, being snuffed out for 107 chasing a target of 282.
The Champions Trophy begins on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai, and 50-over world champions Australia are in a group with England, South Africa and Afghanistan.
At one point, Sri Lanka deployed two fielders at cover in an attempt to stifle his run flow.
Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 after crossing 10,000 Test runs and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening Test on Wednesday.
The story of Australia's latest entrant to the exclusive '10,000 Test runs club' is one of false starts, sustained brilliance, and unforgettable highs
Australian batting great Steve Smith begins a tour of Sri Lanka just one short of entering the elite club of 10,000 Test runs ahead of Wednesday's opening match in Galle.
Cricket will be making its first-ever appearance at the Summer Games in over a century at Los Angeles 2028.
Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays home for the birth of his second child while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is rested after picking up a calf injury.
It was Smith's 11th Test century against India - the most by any player - and his innings of 140 has put Australia in a strong position after two days of the ICC World Test Championship contest.
Smith also scored a ton at the last Test in Brisbane -- his first since June 2023 -- with the latest his 34th in his 113th match.
In a match that has lost almost two days to rain, India have no real hope of winning and are hoping to salvage a draw and head to Melbourne on Boxing Day with the series locked at 1-1.
While the ton was his first in 24 Test innings - the previous having come against England in the Ashes last year - Smith believes he was ticking all the boxes over the past month in the lead up to the series.
