Glenn Maxwell has retired from all international cricket at 38, ending a career that produced a world-best five T20I centuries and an unbeaten 201 at the 2023 World Cup. The all-rounder will now focus on franchise cricket, including the Big Bash League, after being left out of Australia's T20I squad for the England series.
Retirement at a Glance
Maxwell announced the decision on The Final Word podcast. It follows his ODI retirement in June 2025 and covers all international cricket, plus 50-over cricket for Victoria.
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Age at retirement | 38 |
| ODI retirement | June 2025 |
| T20I centuries | 5 (joint-most, with Rohit Sharma) |
| Test centuries | 1 (in India) |
| Best World Cup innings | 201* v Afghanistan, 2023 |
| Next series missed | Five T20Is v England from November 21 |
Maxwell said Australia's management applied no pressure. Both sides chose to leave the door open for a time, but selectors indicated his place would be assessed series by series.
The Form Behind the Decision
Maxwell's recent T20I returns were a clear factor. Selectors were also looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics and the next T20 World Cup, when he would be about 40.
Recent T20I Output
At the 2026 T20 World Cup in south Asia, Maxwell scored 62 runs from three innings. Australia did not reach the Super Eights after losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
| Metric (2025-2026) | Value |
|---|
| T20I innings in the period | 12 |
| Innings under 25 runs | 9 |
| Share of innings under 25 | 75% |
| 2026 T20 World Cup runs | 62 from 3 innings |
| Average at 2026 T20 World Cup | 20.67 |
Nine sub-25 scores in 12 innings point to a sustained dip rather than a single poor tournament. That context explains why selectors preferred to test younger batters.
Career Benchmarks
Maxwell's record is defined by high-impact innings more than by volume. His five T20I hundreds are level with Rohit Sharma for the most in the format.
The 201* Against Afghanistan
In 2023, Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan while battling severe cramp. The innings is widely regarded as one of the best in any cricket World Cup.
He was also part of Australia's World Cup-winning squads, and reports describe him as a three-time World Cup winner. He added a Test century in India, a rare feat for an Australian batter in those conditions.
| Career Marker | Figure |
|---|
| T20I hundreds | 5 |
| Rohit Sharma T20I hundreds | 5 |
| Highest ODI World Cup score | 201* |
| Test hundreds | 1 |
Selection Context and the Olympic Cycle
Maxwell had hoped for a farewell game at the MCG on November 21, when Australia open a five-match T20I series against England. He said he understood why the squad was going in a different direction.
He expects significant change over the next 12 to 24 months ahead of the 2028 Olympics. In his view, a series against a battle-hardened England side offers young players pressure that a BBL fixture cannot.
He also said the last four years tested his ability to recover from setbacks. Back-to-back games, he added, became harder to manage given his injury history.
What Comes Next
Maxwell will continue in franchise cricket. He is contracted to the Big Bash League, Major League Cricket in the USA and the European T20 Premier League.
Melbourne Stars Outlook
He needs a knee injection to be fit to captain the Melbourne Stars. The club has not won a title in its 15-year history, so his leadership will be measured against that gap.
Maxwell said he has a couple of years left on his contracts and does not plan to add new leagues. He described his current workload as more than enough.
Analytical Takeaway
Maxwell's international career reads as a high-ceiling, high-variance profile. Match-winning peaks, including a record-equalling five T20I centuries, coexisted with a recent run of low scores.
For Australia, the decision removes an uncertain selection and opens room for younger batters before the Olympic cycle. For Maxwell, franchise cricket offers fewer back-to-back fixtures and a more manageable physical load.