Glenn Maxwell ends Australia career after 14 years but remains available for franchise T20 cricket

Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a 14-year Australia career while leaving open a continued role in franchise Twenty20 competitions. India Today, citing Cricinfo, reported that the 38-year-old represented Australia in all three formats. Maxwell played seven Tests, 149 one-day internationals and 130 T20 internationals.

He scored 339 Test runs, 3,990 ODI runs and 2,897 T20I runs, while taking 136 international wickets. The figures underline his value as an all-round option, particularly in Australia’s white-ball teams. His international career began with his ODI debut against Afghanistan in Sharjah on August 25, 2012.

He made his T20I debut against Pakistan in Dubai the following month and received his Test cap against India in Hyderabad in March 2013. Maxwell was part of Australia’s victorious ODI World Cup teams in 2015 and 2023, as well as the side that won the T20 World Cup in 2021. His most celebrated performance came during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai, when Australia faced Afghanistan in a chase of 292.

Australia had fallen to 91 for seven when Maxwell, affected by severe cramps and struggling to move freely, produced an unbeaten 201 from 128 deliveries. He hit 21 fours and 10 sixes and shared an unbroken 202-run partnership with Pat Cummins, who made 12 not out. Australia won with three wickets and 19 balls remaining.

India Today described that innings as one of the defining performances of Maxwell’s career. It was the first ODI double-century by an Australian men’s batter and helped keep Australia’s campaign alive. Australia went on to beat India in the final and win the tournament.

The announcement follows a gradual reduction in Maxwell’s involvement in Australia’s international plans. Cricket Australia omitted him from its central contract list for the 2026-27 season, announced in April. He had already retired from ODI cricket in June 2025, with his last appearance in that format coming against India in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai.

Physical demands and repeated injuries influenced his decision to leave the ODI format, according to India Today. His absence from the central contract list did not immediately end his T20I prospects: in March, Maxwell had said he was not ready to make a formal decision and wanted to assess his fitness and form. He was later omitted from Australia’s T20I squad for the Bangladesh tour in May and June.

Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis were also left out of that group, although chief selector George Bailey indicated at the time that their T20I careers were not necessarily over. Maxwell’s final international appearance came against Oman in Australia’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match on February 20, 2026. The supplied reports do not include a direct statement from Maxwell explaining the retirement decision.

His playing career will continue outside international cricket. Maxwell remains involved in T20 leagues around the world and is contracted to the Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League through the end of the 2026-27 season. His retirement therefore closes his Australia chapter without ending his franchise career.