3 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a 14-year career marked by explosive batting, unconventional stroke play and several memorable performances. The 38-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday, November 3, during an appearance on the cricket podcast The Final Word.
Popularly known as ‘The Big Show’, Maxwell also confirmed that he would step away from domestic 50-over and four-day cricket for Victoria. However, he is not retiring from all forms of the game and intends to continue playing franchise T20 cricket.
Maxwell represented Australia in seven Test matches, 149 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 130 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Across 286 international appearances, he scored 7,226 runs and claimed 136 wickets.
Maxwell Explains Decision to Retire
Speaking on The Final Word, Maxwell described the decision as emotional but said the time had come to bring his international career to an end.
He explained that he wanted to focus more on his fitness and physical recovery so that he could remain available for the remaining tournaments in his playing career.
Maxwell said he was grateful for the opportunities he received while representing Australia. Reflecting on his journey, he added that if someone had offered him such a career when he first entered the Victorian dressing room around 2009, he would have accepted it immediately.
His decision also follows a period in which Australian selectors have increasingly focused on younger players in their plans for upcoming international competitions.
No Farewell Match at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Maxwell had hoped to play one final international match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), his home venue, during Australia’s upcoming T20I series against England.
However, he was not included in the squad announced for the series. The selection indicated that Australia wanted to provide opportunities to younger players as the team prepares for the next phase of its white-ball programme.
Maxwell admitted that he had held a small hope of receiving a farewell appearance at the MCG but said he understood the selectors’ decision and the direction in which the team was moving.
He had already retired from ODI cricket in June 2025 but continued to remain available for Australia’s T20I side. His international career therefore continued in the shortest format until the latest announcement.
A Career Defined by White-Ball Cricket
Maxwell established himself as one of Australia’s most dynamic limited-overs players. His ability to play innovative shots, accelerate scoring and contribute with off-spin bowling made him an important part of the team’s white-ball setup.
In ODIs, he scored 3,990 runs at a strike rate of 126.70. In T20 internationals, he accumulated 2,897 runs at a strike rate of 154.42.
He also scored five T20I centuries, a record he shares with India’s Rohit Sharma. Maxwell became known for his ability to change the course of a match within a short period, particularly through aggressive batting in the middle and lower order.
With the ball, he provided Australia with a useful off-spin option and collected 128 wickets in the two shorter international formats, according to figures cited in the retirement coverage.
Two ODI World Cups and a T20 World Cup Title
Maxwell was part of Australia’s ODI World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023. He also played a significant role in Australia’s triumph at the 2021 T20 World Cup.
One of the defining moments of his career came during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Facing Afghanistan at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Australia were struggling at 91 for seven while chasing a target of 292.
Maxwell produced an extraordinary unbeaten 201 off 128 balls, despite suffering severe cramps that made running between the wickets extremely difficult. He shared an unbeaten 202-run partnership with captain Pat Cummins for the eighth wicket, helping Australia complete the chase and secure a remarkable victory.
The innings remains one of the most memorable performances in ODI World Cup history. Earlier in the same tournament, Maxwell had also scored a century against the Netherlands in just 40 balls, setting the record for the fastest hundred in men’s Cricket World Cup history at the time.
Final International Appearance Came Against Oman
Maxwell’s final appearance for Australia came against Oman during the 2026 T20 World Cup in February. He finished the match with bowling figures of two wickets for 13 runs in three overs and did not get an opportunity to bat.
Australia’s campaign ended during the group stage, and Maxwell was not selected for subsequent international assignments.
His retirement now closes the international chapter of a career that included major tournament victories, outstanding individual performances and a distinctive style of batting that made him a popular figure among cricket fans.
Maxwell to Continue Playing Franchise T20 Cricket
Although he will no longer represent Australia or play domestic 50-over and four-day cricket for Victoria, Maxwell intends to continue his involvement in franchise T20 competitions.
He is expected to remain part of the Melbourne Stars setup in Australia’s Big Bash League, allowing fans to continue watching him in the shortest format.
Maxwell’s international retirement marks the end of an important era for Australian white-ball cricket. His aggressive approach, versatility and match-winning performances have left a lasting contribution to the national team.