Marcus Stoinis Ditches Champions Trophy, Announces Immediate Retirement from ODI Cricket

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Marcus Stoinis has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), as confirmed by Cricket Australia on February 6, Thursday.s

The Australian all-rounder has chosen to shift his attention solely to T20 cricket, concluding his 50-over career after nearly a decade.

The 35-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 2015, represented Australia in 71 matches. His withdrawal from the format also means the team will need to find a replacement for him in their Champions Trophy squad.

Reflecting on his ODI journey, Marcus said, "Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I'm grateful for every moment I've had in the green and gold. Representing my country at the highest level is something I'll always cherish."

Acknowledging that stepping away was not an easy choice, he added, "This wasn't an easy decision, but I believe it's the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career. I've got a fantastic relationship with Ron (Andrew McDonald) and I've hugely appreciated his support."

Stoinis delivered one of his most outstanding performances early in his career, scoring an unbeaten 146 against New Zealand in Auckland in just his second ODI in 2017. His last appearance in the format came during Australia's tour of Pakistan in November 2023. Over the years, he amassed 1495 runs and claimed 48 wickets in ODIs. He was also part of Australia's triumphant 2023 World Cup squad and was honored as the country's ODI Cricketer of the Year for the 2018-19 season.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald praised Stoinis for his contributions, stating, "Stoin has been such a pivotal part of our ODI setup for the past decade. Not only has he been an invaluable player but also an incredible person to have in the group. He is a natural leader, an exceptionally popular player and a great person. He should be congratulated on his ODI career and all of his achievements."