Glenn Maxwell Announces Immediate Retirement from ODI Cricket

New Delhi : Glenn Maxwell, a pivotal figure in Australia’s cricketing successes, including the 2015 and 2019 World Cup triumphs, has announced his immediate retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket. The decision marks the end of a remarkable chapter for Maxwell, who played some of the most memorable innings in the format, including a spectacular one-legged knock against Afghanistan during the 2023 World Cup in Mumbai.

Maxwell’s ODI career closes just shy of significant milestones, as he finishes with just under 4,000 runs and nearly 150 matches played. Despite these impressive numbers, Maxwell explained his decision on the Final Word Podcast, emphasizing that he no longer saw himself making the squad for the 2027 World Cup and wanted to pave the way for younger talent.

“I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how the body was reacting to the conditions,” Maxwell shared during the interview. He spoke candidly about his conversation with Australia’s Chair of Selectors, George Bailey, revealing that both agreed it was time to begin transitioning the middle-order role to a younger player. “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’,” Maxwell said.

The all-rounder stressed that he did not want to hold onto his place in the team out of selfishness or prolong his career unnecessarily. “I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play,” Maxwell said. “But now, 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 has been an integral part of Australia’s middle order for years, forming strong partnerships with players like Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin, and later with Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey. His aggressive batting style and dynamic fielding have been vital to Australia’s ODI strategy.