Glenn Maxwell calls time on his 14-year international career, leaving behind two ODI World Cup titles, a T20 World Cup triumph and one of the most memorable innings in the format’s history.
After a remarkable 14-year career with Australia, Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket. With his retirement, Maxwell leaves behind a legacy as one of the most formidable and unconventional batters of his generation. He ends his international career having played seven Tests, scoring 339 runs, alongside 149 ODIs and 130 T20Is.
Maxwell played his last Test for Australia in 2017 and had previously retired from ODI cricket after the 2025 Champions Trophy, having scored 3,990 runs in the 50-over format for Australia. His last T20I appearance came against Oman in February this year. Beyond his ruinous batting, he also claimed 136 international wickets, establishing himself as a valuable all-round option in Australia’s white-ball teams.
A glance at Maxwell’s career
Maxwell’s international journey began with his ODI debut against Afghanistan in Sharjah on August 25, 2012. He made his T20I debut against Pakistan in September that year before earning his Test cap against India in Hyderabad in March 2013.
Throughout his career, he was part of two ODI World Cup-winning teams, in 2015 and 2023, as well as Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign in 2021. His remarkable innings against Afghanistan during the 2023 ODI World Cup became one of the defining moments of his career.
More from SportsAt Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Maxwell battled severe cramps and physical discomfort to produce one of the greatest rescue acts in ODI history. Australia had slipped to 91 for 7 while chasing 292 when Maxwell took charge of the innings.
Fighting through the pain, he struck 21 fours and 10 sixes to finish unbeaten on 201. Alongside Pat Cummins, who scored an unbeaten 12, Maxwell put together an unbroken 202-run partnership to take Australia home by three wickets, with 19 balls to spare. The innings left spectators with a remarkable display of resilience and power. Australia went on to win the tournament, beating India in the final.
Cricket Australia left Maxwell out of its central contract list for the 2026-27 season, announced in April, as his diminishing involvement with the national side became increasingly apparent. His retirement comes amid uncertainty over his long-term international future. Maxwell had already retired from ODI cricket in June 2025, with his final appearance coming against India in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai. Reports suggest that repeated injuries also influenced his decision about his cricketing future.
Bangladesh tour omission
Maxwell was also left out of Australia’s T20I squad for the tour of Bangladesh in May-June 2026. The selectors opted for a new-look group, with Maxwell, Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis among the experienced players overlooked.
While Maxwell steps away from international cricket, his franchise career remains a separate chapter. He has continued to feature in T20 leagues around the world and remains contracted to the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The announcement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket, with Maxwell leaving behind a legacy defined by explosive batting, remarkable improvisation and some unforgettable match-winning performances.