Glenn Maxwell Says Good Bye To ODI Cricket, Will Play T20 World Cup
Glenn Maxwell Says Good Bye To ODI Cricket, Will Play T20 World Cup
36-year-old Glenn Maxwell retired from ODI Cricket. His 13-year ODI career ends on 2nd June 2025.
Glenn Maxwell, one of the most exciting cricketers in ODI history, has announced his retirement from the 50-over format. However, he will continue playing T20 internationals and is expected to compete in next year’s T20 World Cup.
The 36-year-old joins fellow Australian star Steven Smith in stepping away from ODIs after their team’s semi-final exit from the Champions Trophy earlier this year. While Maxwell hasn’t officially retired from Test cricket, it’s unlikely he’ll play red-ball cricket again.
Maxwell shared the news during an interview on The Final Word Podcast, explaining that the physical demands of ODI cricket had become too much, especially after his leg injury in 2022. During the recent Champions Trophy, he struggled to recover after matches.
"I felt like I was letting the team down because of how my body was reacting," Maxwell said. "I spoke to George Bailey (Australia’s chief selector) about the future, and I told him I wouldn’t be able to play in the 2027 World Cup. It’s time for younger players to step up and make the position their own."
Maxwell made it clear that he didn’t want to hold onto his spot just for the sake of playing a few more series. Instead, he wanted to help Australia plan for the future and give upcoming players a fair chance.
Maxwell’s Incredible ODI Career
Though his stats 3,990 runs at an average of 33.81 and 77 wickets might not fully capture his impact, Maxwell’s ODI career was nothing short of spectacular. He was brought into Australia’s ODI team before he was fully ready, playing only 14 List A matches before his international debut in 2012. However, in one of his early games for Victoria in 2011, he smashed the fastest fifty in Australian domestic one-day cricket, reaching the milestone in just 19 balls a record that stood until 2023.
Maxwell built his reputation on power-hitting. He holds one of the highest strike rates in ODI history (126.70), second only to Andre Russell, and among players with over 2,000 runs, no one strikes better than his 117.05.
One of his biggest achievements came in the 2023 ODI World Cup when he played one of the greatest innings ever, scoring an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai. It was the first double century by an Australian in ODIs and the first-ever double ton by a non-opener. Coming in at No. 6, Maxwell led Australia’s chase of 292 after they had collapsed to 91 for 7.
"I'm really lucky to have had that moment," he said. "It was everything I worked hard for playing at my peak in front of the world."
In the same tournament, Maxwell smashed the fastest ODI World Cup century ever off just 40 balls against the Netherlands. He also had the fourth-fastest World Cup century (51 balls) against Sri Lanka in 2015.
His other ODI ton came in 2020 when he partnered with Alex Carey to chase down 303 against England after Australia had stumbled to 73 for 5.
"That was one of my favorite moments," Maxwell recalled. "Carey had a tough start, but once he found his rhythm, we had fun. Winning that series meant a lot, especially since we hadn't played cricket for months due to COVID."
More Than Just a Batter
Beyond his centuries, Maxwell played crucial knocks under pressure, including a match-winning 32* off 15 balls in the Champions Trophy as Australia successfully chased 352. In the 2015 World Cup, he contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 44* in the quarter-final against Pakistan and picking up two key wickets.
His bowling often went underappreciated. He was Australia’s main spinner in their 2015 World Cup-winning campaign and played a supporting role in the 2023 triumph. In India during the 2023 World Cup, he kept his economy rate down to just 4.81 per over. He also took the key wicket of Rohit Sharma in the final, stopping India’s momentum early.
One of his most famous bowling moments came in 2014 when he defended just two runs in the final over against Pakistan, taking two wickets in a dramatic double-wicket maiden.
A Legacy Beyond Numbers
Maxwell wasn’t just known for his batting and bowling he was also one of Australia’s best fielders, playing key roles in both the infield and outfield throughout his career.
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey praised his impact on the team. "Glenn will be remembered as one of the most dynamic one-day players. His natural talent, energy, and commitment to Australia were outstanding."
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also celebrated Maxwell’s legacy. "His explosive batting lit up the cricket world and helped Australia achieve success in ODIs. Crowds came just to watch him bat, and young players were inspired by his incredible shot-making."
What’s Next for Maxwell?
Although he has retired from ODIs, Maxwell will now focus on T20 cricket, including Australia’s push for the ICC T20 World Cup next year. He’s currently recovering from a broken finger suffered during the IPL but is expected to be fit in time for Major League Cricket in the USA in a couple of weeks. He will likely be part of Australia’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I tour of the Caribbean.
With his ODI career coming to an end, Glenn Maxwell leaves behind a legacy of breathtaking innings, unforgettable moments, and a unique style of cricket that thrilled fans worldwide.