One of the most dynamic performers in modern cricket, Glenn Maxwell, has formally announced his retirement from one-day international competition. On the Final Word Podcast, the 36-year-old revealed that the physical demands of the format, particularly following his leg fracture in 2022, had grown intolerable. He has his sights set on the 2026 T20 World Cup, though, and will still be ready for T20 internationals.
Maxwell acknowledged that the demands of 50-over cricket were becoming too much for his body to handle. He claimed that if he couldn’t give it his best, he no longer felt comfortable keeping his spot on the team.
“I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how the body was reacting to the conditions,” Maxwell said. “I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward.
“We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him ‘I don’t think I am going to make that, it’s time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own’. Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.
“I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.
“They are moving in such a clear direction so this gives them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.”
The mayhem and genius Maxwell brought to the format are not adequately conveyed by his raw ODI stats, which include 3,990 runs at 33.81 with a strike rate of 126.70 and 77 wickets from 149 games. He never cared about accumulating. He caused disturbances.
A finisher capable of making the seemingly extraordinary seem ordinary. Many people consider his 2023 World Cup innings against Afghanistan, where he chased 292 from 91 for 7, to be the best ODI cricket innings ever. He finished with 201 not out. It was the first double-century by an Australian, the first by a batsman batting below No. 5, and the first in a run chase.
That competition wasn’t unusual. He hit the fastest century in tournament history against the Netherlands in Delhi earlier in the same World Cup, requiring just 40 balls.
Additionally, he holds the fourth-fastest World Cup ton, which he achieved against Sri Lanka in 2015 with 51 balls. He completed games, saved them, and then turned them upside down. In 2020, when Australia was 73 for 5, he and Alex Carey managed an unlikely comeback against England.
“I think that was probably one of my favorite memories,” Maxwell said. “Being out there with Alex Carey, he had had a bit of a tough start to his innings, but once he started to get the get the ball in the middle about a few times, it was great fun out there. And to be a part of his first one-day hundred out there, and to play a huge role in winning that series with everything that went on over the [previous] few months, not playing cricket for a long time, and having everyone in a bio-secure bubble and doing quarantine non-stop, it just made it all worth it.”
He scored an undefeated 32 from 15 balls to cap off an incredible 352-run chase in this year’s Champions Trophy. He bowled a double-wicket maiden against Pakistan in 2014, defending two runs in the last over.
He was more than a helpful part-timer with the ball. He was the main spinner during the World Cup victory in 2015 and played a crucial second-spinner role during the 2023 championship run.
His stint against Sri Lanka helped Australia’s campaign turn around, and he stopped India’s momentum in the final by dismissing Rohit Sharma. Additionally, he bowled with exceptional control, averaging just 4.81 runs per over under Indian conditions.
Fielding? He was top-notch. Maxwell’s arm power, quickness, and awareness were exceptional, whether he was cutting off bounds in the deep or rescuing singles in the ring. Everywhere he went, he brought vitality and instinct.
Australia’s head of selectors, George Bailey, commended Maxwell for his “dynamic” presence.
“Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories,” Bailey said. “His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg called Maxwell’s ODI career “one of the most exciting and influential” ever seen.
“Congratulations to Glenn on what has been one of the most exciting and influential one day international careers in the format’s history,” Greenberg said. “Glenn’s ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia’s continued success in the 50 over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph.
“As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots.
Maxwell will likely join Australia’s T20 team for the July Caribbean tour once he recovers from a fractured finger sustained during the IPL. He should be ready for Major League Cricket in the United States in a few weeks. His ODI career is done, but there is still more to come.
