But the removal of international white-ball cricket from his calendar – Smith was not chosen for last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean – should keep him fresh for some time yet in the long form.

Usman Khawaja’s late-career flourish while playing solely as a Test batter will provide some inspiration for Smith, while there is the additional temptation to try for elusive series victories in India and England in 2027. There is also the opportunity to return to South Africa in 2026 for a happier tour than the infamous 2018 “Sandpapergate” series.

“We fully understand and support Steve’s decision to retire from one-day international cricket,” selection chair George Bailey 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. From an NSP [national selection panel] standpoint, Steve remains fully committed to Test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.”

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Smith’s exit from ODIs also symbolises the fading relevance of the format outside global tournaments. Australia are not scheduled to play them often over the next 12 months, before they become a little more frequent in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

When Smith started out for Australia in 2010, 50-over matches were still watched by decent crowds and huge audiences on free-to-air television, but they have long since been pushed to the fringes of subscription and streaming services – the Champions Trophy was accessible only on Amazon Prime.

Twenty20 cricket and privatised leagues loom ever larger, a prominent agenda item in new CA chief executive Todd Greenberg’s first week at Jolimont.

“Right up until his final ODI innings, Steve exhibited an incredible ability to accumulate runs in all conditions, and his astute leadership has been crucial in the team’s ongoing success, including the 2015 and 2023 ICC World Cup victories,” Greenberg said.

“We’re fortunate Steve still has much to offer in the Test and T20 arenas, and I look forward to witnessing the next stage of one of cricket’s great careers.”

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