Steve Smith Retires; 3 Potential Replacements For Australian Star In ODIs

Anurag Dasgupta

3 replacements for Steve Smith [Source: AP Photo] 3 replacements for Steve Smith [Source: AP Photo]

In a shocking turn of events, Australia's most experienced batter, Steve Smith announced his retirement from the ODI cricket. The decision came after his side lost to India in the semis and got knockout out of the event. Smith led an inexperienced Australian team in the tournament and despite putting up a brave fight, the side lost against a solid Indian team.

As a result of this loss, the stand-in ODI captain made a shocker of a decision to step away from ODIs to focus more on other formats and give a chance to the youngsters. 

With Smith retiring, Australia have big shoes to fill in and here are 3 players who could potentially replace the Aussie star in ODIs.

1) Sam Konstas

Konstas List-A stats

Criterion
Data
Matches3
Runs144
Average48

The prodigy of Australian cricket, Sam Konstas is a special player who announced his arrival with a counter-attacking fifty Vs India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He looked calm and composed and even though he generally opens for his domestic side, Konstas has the strike-rotating ability to play at number 3 in ODIs and could be a long-term prospect for the Aussies.

In just 3 List-A matches, Konstas has scored 144 runs, at an average of 48 and a strike-rate of. 96.

2) Cooper Connolly

For some reason, Cooper Connolly was asked to open against India in the Champions Trophy semis, but the Western Australia batter is someone who likes to bat at number 3, 4. He has the ability to play both as an attacking batter and an accumulator and that makes him a perfect replacement for Steve Smith.

Just like Smith, he can also roll his arms with the ball and that could give the Aussies an added advantage. 

3) Mitch Owen

Owen List-A stats

Criterion
Data
Matches17
Runs336
Average25.07
Strike-rate145

Australia have a love for aggressive batters in their ranks and Mitch Owen is someone who comes from that school of though. He was Hobart Hurricanes' star batter as the team won the Big Bash League 2024-25. A level-headed batter and a decent medium pace bowler, Owen could do wonders for the Aussie side of given a proper run by the selectors.

Though, his stats don't look promising, but the Hobart batter certainly has the X-factor to make it big and replace Smith.