Further, Australia’s fiery all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has formally announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), ending a dynamic chapter in his cricket career that lasted more than a decade. Maxwell appeared in 149 ODIs between 2012 and 2025. He disclosed that he is moving in this direction as part of his preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
Maxwell’s storied ODI career comprised 3,990 runs, 77 wickets, and 91 catches, with contributions that rendered him a regular component of Australia’s limited-overs unit. He played a crucial role in Australia’s 2015 and 2023 World Cup victories. Cricket Australia confirmed the retirement and said Maxwell will now focus on the Big Bash League and international T20 duties.
“I look back at the beginning, I was selected ahead of my time, and out of the blue. I was just proud to be playing a couple of matches for Australia,” Maxwell looked back on his career.
He further added, “I thought I was just going to have that.”
Career Characterized by Explosiveness and Reliability
The aggressive batsman with aggressive stroke play, Maxwell scored his ODI runs at a rate of 33.81 and an astronomical strike rate of 126.70. His career highlight was on display during the 2023 World Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan. This knock is considered one of the all-time greats in ODI cricket.
Apart from this monumental double century, he scored three other hundreds and 23 half-centuries, displaying his match-winning talent. He also strengthened the team with his off-spin bowling, taking four four-wicket hauls and frequently disrupting key partnerships.
Glenn Maxwell Prioritises Fitness and Future Goals
Maxwell’s final ODI match was against India in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He attributed physical issues as one of the reasons he walked away from the format.
“I felt like I was doing the team a bit of a disservice with how the body was responding to conditions. I did have a good conversation with (Chair of Selectors) George Bailey and asked him what his take was going forward,” Maxwell explained on the Final Word Podcast.
He added, “We discussed the 2027 World Cup and I explained to him ‘I don’t believe I am going to make that, it is time to start thinking about people in my scenario to have a crack at it and make the role their own’.”
Maxwell’s move seems to be based on long-term team development. “They are heading in such a definite direction, so this provides them with the best glimpse of what the line-up is building towards that next World Cup. I understand how significant that planning is.”
Tributes Flow for Australia’s ODI Maestro
Selectors Chair George Bailey praised Maxwell’s contribution, terming him “one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players.”
“His natural ability and skill level are just incredible. His work rate on the ground, underrated skill with the ball in hand, and durability have been great. But what stands out is how much he loves and wants to play for Australia,” Bailey said.
He further added that Glenn Maxwell has an important role to fulfill in Australia’s T20 future, “All going well, he will be central for the next 12 months as we build towards the World Cup early in the new year.”
