Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 38. In addition to ending his international tenure, the Australian all-rounder has also drawn curtains on his first-class and List A careers. However, he will continue to entertain fans with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL), having secured an extended contract through the 2027-28 season.
Maxwell had previously stepped away from One Day Internationals (ODIs) in June last year, but continued to represent Australia in T20 Internationals, participating in the 2026 World Cup. Unfortunately, his team didn’t advance beyond the group stages, and a match against Oman in February marked his last appearance wearing the Australian jersey. In that game, Maxwell took two wickets but didn’t get a chance to bat.
Discussing his retirement on the Final Word podcast, Maxwell reflected, “We probably had numerous discussions before and after the T20 World Cup. And it was it was pretty open ended. There wasn’t any pressure from that side [Australia team management], and we decided to sort of leave the door open.”
A distinguished career highlight includes Maxwell being part of two ODI World Cup-winning teams and clinching the winning runs when Australia triumphed in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Despite his achievements, he harboured a wistful desire to play a farewell game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). “I suppose, a small hope or discussion that I might have been able to potentially get a send-off game at the MCG,” Maxwell expressed candidly. “But I can completely understand the direction they’re going with this squad.”
Continuing to make his mark in franchise cricket, Maxwell recently captained Belfast Wolves to the final of the inaugural European T20 Premier League. During the subsequent One-Day Cup, he played two matches for Victoria, which turned out to be his farewell to state cricket. “Knowing that they’ve played such a huge role in my whole career… I certainly got a little bit choked up speaking in front of the group,” Maxwell shared, acknowledging the emotional moment.
As England prepares to tour Australia for a series of white-ball games, including a T20I in Melbourne, Maxwell admitted to being tempted to prepare for this. However, he prioritised his fitness for the BBL, opting for an injection on his knee. With eight weeks of rehabilitation planned, Maxwell is focused on contributing robustly in the upcoming BBL season. “It’s probably a time where I probably need to spend a little bit more time investing in the body,” he reasoned.
Throughout his career, Maxwell played 130 T20 Internationals for Australia, amassing 2,897 runs and taking 51 wickets with a formidable strike rate of 154.42. His five T20I centuries are a joint world record with Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma. While his Test appearances were limited to seven, he achieved an impressive 104 against India in Ranchi.
Maxwell’s departure from international cricket marks the end of an era filled with dynamic performances and impactful contributions to Australian cricket. His legacy will continue in the shorter formats as he bids farewell to the international stage.
