Steve Smith’s one-day international retirement more than two years out from the next 50-over World Cup raises questions about who will be next among his ageing teammates.

Mitchell Starc, also 35, immediately comes to mind, especially given he has already declared Test cricket his priority and flagged cutting his workload as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

Starc recently mentioned missing the Champions Trophy for a few reasons, including focusing on getting his body right for Test and Twenty20 formats.

The left-armer has been one of the very best when it comes to ODI cricket so I will be interested to see if Smith’s call will have an impact on his own decision.

Fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood, 34 and with a history of injury issues, will also have to decide whether to continue to play all three formats.

Reflecting on Smith’s career, it’s remarkable how he transitioned from a leg-spinner to become one of Australia’s finest and most intriguing batsmen across all formats.

Smith made his ODI debut against the West Indies at the MCG in February 2010. Listed at No.8, he didn’t even get a bat as Australia amassed more than 300 runs batting first for the loss of five wickets. Yet he bowled his 10 overs as the primary spinner and took two wickets.

Smith departs the ODI arena with an impressive record that stands tall alongside the best. Smith has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the game, delivering countless memorable performances, whether it was with the bat, ball, or in the field.

His presence will be missed, but perhaps his retirement will help usher in a new era for the team, allowing fresh talent to shine as the landscape of cricket evolves.

With the next 50-over World Cup not due until November 2027, Smith felt it was the right time to step back and allow others to push for a spot in the team. As opportunities to break into the side haven’t been easy to come by in recent years, this will give the selectors enough time to get what they need for the next World Cup.

One must wonder if we will see a shift towards more players giving up ODI cricket to pursue their legacies in Test cricket and the cash from T20 franchise cricket. Historically, many have chosen to retire from Test cricket while maintaining a focus on ODIs and now T20s to prolong their careers.

Smith’s decision seems to emphasise that Test cricket remains his top priority, while also setting the stage for life after Test cricket with various T20 tournaments to capitalise on.

His retirement certainly adds to the ongoing conversation about the relevance of ODI cricket. His decision might influence others to reconsider their commitment to the format, especially as the focus shifts increasingly towards T20s.

This is a pivotal moment, and many are closely watching to see if this becomes a trend. The resurrected Champions Trophy didn’t seem to resonate well with fans, and if viewership numbers reflect that, it could further fuel the narrative that ODI cricket is on the wane.

Despite the rich history and memorable moments one-day cricket has provided, with T20’s explosion in popularity, it does feel like a turning point if others follow suit.

It’s been interesting to hear the discussions around the Champions Trophy and the advantages that India seems to have over other teams, with all games at one venue in Dubai rather than host nation Pakistan.

If any team could pick their scenario, they’d certainly want to be in India’s shoes, enjoying the flexibility Dubai offers and familiarity with the pitches. Smith made a valid point about the differences between the wickets in Pakistan and Dubai after Australia’s semifinal loss.

Ultimately, it raises questions about how fair and competitive the tournament is when one side has a distinct advantage.