Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell announces retirement from ODI cricket

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Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has officially retired from One Day Internationals, bringing the curtain down on a thrilling 50-over career that spanned over a decade. The 36-year-old confirmed the news on Monday, stating that he will continue playing T20Is and aims to represent Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Maxwell’s decision comes on the heels of Australia’s semi-final exit from the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. It also follows fellow veteran Steve Smith’s retirement from the format, marking the end of an era for Australia’s ODI side.

Though Maxwell hasn’t formally retired from Test cricket, his return to the red-ball format seems unlikely.

The announcement came during a candid conversation in a podcast. Maxwell revealed that the physical demands of ODI cricket, especially after a serious leg injury in 2022, played a major role in his decision.

"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how 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," he added. 

"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," he further added. 

Maxwell stressed that he didn’t want to cling to his spot in the team for selfish reasons.

"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," he stated. 

"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," Maxwell further stated. 

Despite not having towering numbers—3,990 runs at 33.81 and 77 wickets at 47.32 in 149 matches—Maxwell’s impact in ODIs was unmatched. With a blistering career strike rate of 126.70, second only to Andre Russell among players with over 2,000 ODI runs, Maxwell thrilled fans with his audacious strokeplay and fearless batting.

His crowning moment came during the 2023 World Cup, when he scored a jaw-dropping 201* against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Coming in with Australia in deep trouble at 91 for 7 while chasing 292, Maxwell pulled off one of the greatest ODI knocks in history—becoming the first Australian to score a double century in ODIs, the first-ever to do so in a chase, and the first non-opener to achieve the feat.

"I'm extremely fortunate that I was able to have my moment," Maxwell said. 

"Everything that you've worked hard for, the peak of your powers, being able to put it in front of the world to see and it's almost like saying, this is the best of me, you can either take it or leave it, but this is all I've got," he added. 

His World Cup heroics didn’t end there—he also smashed the fastest century in ODI World Cup history, taking just 40 balls against the Netherlands in Delhi. He holds the fourth-fastest century as well, a 51-ball special against Sri Lanka in 2015.

Another unforgettable performance came in 2020, when Maxwell’s 108 off 90 balls helped Australia pull off a stunning chase of 303 against England at Old Trafford, after being 73 for 5. He partnered with Alex Carey to secure a series-clinching win.

"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 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 added. 

While often celebrated for his batting, Maxwell’s bowling proved invaluable in key tournaments. He served as Australia’s frontline spinner in the 2015 World Cup and supported Adam Zampa as a second spinner in India during the 2023 edition, where he maintained a tidy economy of 4.81. His unforgettable double-wicket maiden against Pakistan in 2014, defending just two runs in the final over, remains one of the most dramatic finishes in ODI history.

A livewire in the field, Maxwell’s athleticism and agility made him a standout inside the circle and on the boundary, further solidifying his status as one of Australia’s greatest all-round fielders.

Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey praised Maxwell’s legacy in the ODI format.

"Congratulations to Glenn on what has been one of the most exciting and influential one day international careers in the format's history," Bailey 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," he added. 

"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," he further added. 

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also paid tribute.

"Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year," he said. 

Currently recovering from a fractured finger sustained during the IPL, Maxwell is expected to return to action soon and join Major League Cricket in the United States within the next two weeks. He is also in line to be named in Australia’s squad for the five-match T20I series in the Caribbean starting July 20.