 cricket.){kind=link}
In a move that tugs at both nostalgia and logic, Glenn Maxwell has officially announced his retirement from one-day international (ODI) cricket. The Australian match-winner, entertainer, and often-underestimated all-rounder says it’s time to move on — but on his own terms.
From Wild Card to World Cup Hero
Maxwell’s ODI journey was anything but linear. He burst onto the scene back in 2012 — selected, in his own words, “ahead of my time and out of the blue.”
Few could have predicted back then that this energetic Victorian would go on to carve out one of the most unique and explosive ODI careers in Australian cricket history.
Over 149 ODIs, Maxwell delivered chaos and calm in equal measure. He scored 3,907 runs at a strike rate of 126, second only to West Indies’ Andre Russell, and claimed 77 wickets with his often-overlooked off-spin.
But if there’s one match that will forever define his legacy, it’s the 2023 World Cup clash against Afghanistan in Mumbai.
The Cramp-Filled Miracle.
Picture this: Australia 91 for 7 chasing 293—the World Cup campaign hanging by a thread. Glenn Maxwell walks in, battles scorching heat, full-body cramps, and a relentless Afghan bowling attack. What followed was the stuff of legends.
A 201-run stand with Pat Cummins, who contributed a modest 12. A staggering 201 not out off 128 balls. The first double hundred by an Australian in ODIs. And arguably, the greatest ODI innings ever played.
That knock didn’t just save a match — it reignited Australia’s World Cup run, which eventually culminated in a stunning title win over India in Ahmedabad.
Why Now?
Speaking on The Final Word Podcast, Maxwell gave a candid insight into why he’s stepping away now, and not two years later at the 2027 World Cup.
“I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how the body was reacting to the conditions,” he admitted, referencing his struggles during the Champions Trophy and the lingering effects of a serious leg injury.
“I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.”
Instead of clinging on, Maxwell is choosing to make space for the next generation, allowing selectors the runway to groom a successor well in time for the next ODI World Cup.
That kind of self-awareness is rare in modern sport. And refreshing.
Glenn Maxwell Isn’t Done Yet
While the 50-over chapter is closed, the story is far from over. Maxwell will now focus on Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, along with his Big Bash League duties and other global T20 gigs.
That means fans still get to see the Big Show in full flight — just in shorter bursts. And if history tells us anything, it’s that Glenn Maxwell doesn’t need much time to change a game.
As Maxwell looked back on his ODI journey, his words were tinged with both gratitude and humility.
“I was just proud to be playing a couple of games for Australia. I thought I was just going to have that.”
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.