‘The Big Show’ bows out: Glenn Maxwell bids farewell to international cricket

Australian cricket star Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career defined by explosive batting, unconventional strokeplay and match-winning performances. Nicknamed ‘The Big Show’, Maxwell leaves behind a legacy as one of the most entertaining and influential white-ball cricketers of his generation.

The 38-year-old confirmed his decision after previously retiring from One-Day International (ODI) cricket in 2025. He has now called time on his T20 International career and will also step away from four-day and 50-over cricket for Victoria. However, fans will continue to see him in franchise T20 competitions, including the Big Bash League with the Melbourne Stars.

Glenn Maxwell reflects on his international career

Maxwell shared his thoughts on retirement during an appearance on The Final Word cricket podcast, expressing gratitude for the opportunities he received while representing Australia.

“I’m grateful for the time I was able to play for my country,” Maxwell said.

He also reflected on how far his career had taken him, explaining that he might not have imagined such a journey when he first entered the Victorian cricket setup in 2009.

“If you had offered me that career when I first walked into the Vic change rooms in 2009-ish, I would have bitten your hand off.”

Maxwell’s international journey was not always straightforward. He had to adapt to different roles and prove his value across formats, but his ability to produce extraordinary performances ensured he remained a valuable option for Australia, particularly in white-ball cricket.

Maxwell’s international career in numbers

Maxwell represented Australia in 286 international matches, featuring in seven Tests, 149 ODIs and 130 T20Is. Across those appearances, he accumulated 7,226 runs and claimed 136 wickets, demonstrating his value as a batting all-rounder.

His most productive international format was T20 cricket, where he scored 2,897 runs at a strike rate of 154.42. He also registered five T20I centuries, sharing the record with India’s Rohit Sharma.

Maxwell’s ODI career ended in 2025 with 3,990 runs, including several memorable innings that showcased his remarkable power and improvisation. His off-spin and athletic fielding added further value to Australia’s white-ball setup.

Maxwell’s unforgettable 201 against Afghanistan

One performance will forever define Maxwell’s international career: his extraordinary unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai.

Australia were in serious trouble at 91/7 while chasing 292, with Afghanistan seemingly close to a famous victory. Maxwell, battling severe cramps and struggling with his movement, launched an incredible counterattack to turn the contest around.

He finished unbeaten on 201 from 128 deliveries, rescuing Australia from a position that appeared almost impossible to recover from. His innings included powerful hitting, inventive strokeplay and extraordinary determination under pressure.

That knock remains one of the most celebrated innings in ODI World Cup history. Maxwell also scored a blistering century against the Netherlands during the same tournament, reaching three figures in just 40 balls to register the fastest century in men’s ODI World Cup history at the time.

Three World Cup triumphs with Australia for Maxwell

Maxwell was part of three successful Australian World Cup campaigns. He helped the team win the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as the 2021 T20 World Cup.

His ability to change a match within a few overs made him a crucial weapon in Australia’s limited-overs plans. Whether attacking fast bowlers, manipulating spin or contributing with the ball, Maxwell brought an unpredictable element that opponents struggled to contain.

His retirement also marks the end of an era for Australian white-ball cricket, with several members of the 2023 World Cup-winning generation having stepped away from international duty.