Australian explosive all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket. He made the announcement late on Monday night.

Maxwell played 286 international matches for Australia, scoring 7,226 runs and taking 136 wickets. He was part of the Australian teams that won the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2023. He was also a member of the team that won the T20 World Cup in 2021.

Announcing his retirement on the Final World Podcast, Maxwell said that although the decision was somewhat emotional, it had been expected for some time. He said, “I feel a little sad to announce my retirement from international cricket and domestic 50-over and four-day cricket for Victoria, but this decision was almost inevitable. My departure from red-ball cricket will probably not surprise anyone.”

Maxwell further revealed that he had discussed the decision with the Australian team management on several occasions. His future was discussed after the T20 World Cup, but he was not put under any pressure. The team management was focused on preparations for the future and giving opportunities to younger players. Young players were also tested in the T20 series against Bangladesh, where they performed well.

The most memorable innings of Maxwell’s career came against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the match played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Australia were chasing a target of 292 runs but had lost seven wickets for just 91 runs. Defeat appeared almost certain, but Maxwell single-handedly turned the match around.

He scored an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls, smashing 21 fours and 10 sixes. Remarkably, Maxwell was unable to run properly for much of the innings due to muscle cramps. Despite this, he and captain Pat Cummins put together an unbeaten 202-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

Cummins scored an unbeaten 12 off 68 balls, while Maxwell’s explosive double century led Australia to a historic three-wicket victory. Australia won the match with 19 balls to spare. Maxwell’s innings is regarded as one of the most extraordinary performances in ODI cricket.

Before retiring from international cricket, Maxwell had already bid farewell to ODI cricket in June 2025. The Champions Trophy semi-final against India in Dubai was his final ODI appearance. Cricket Australia had also left him out of its list of central contracts announced in April 2026.

Maxwell last represented Australia in the T20 World Cup held earlier this year. Australia were eliminated in the group stage of the tournament. He was subsequently left out of the squad for the T20 series against Bangladesh.

Despite retiring from international cricket and domestic 50-over and four-day cricket for Victoria, Maxwell has not closed the door on franchise cricket. In recent years, he has continued to feature in various T20 leagues around the world.

In September, he represented Belfast Wolves in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League. A few days later, he also played two One-Day Cup matches for Victoria.

Maxwell revealed that he became emotional when he informed his teammates about his decision after playing his final One-Day Cup match for Victoria. He said that Victoria and its players had supported him throughout his career. His eyes also filled with tears during the emotional moment.

Maxwell said he now wanted to focus more on his physical fitness and take better care of his body so that he could remain fit for the remaining tournaments of his career.