Was Letting The Team Down: Star Australian All-rounder Bids Adieu To ODI Cricket

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from ODI cricket. 

Maxwell, who has won two ODI World Cups in 2015 and 2023, apart from playing one of the greatest ODI innings of all time in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Afghanistan, has 3990 runs in the format at an average of 33.81 and a scintillating strike rate of 126.70. He has also picked 77 wickets at 47.32 in 119 innings for Australia in the format.

The all-rounder who has made his name in the format for his swashbuckling batting announced his retirement in an interview on the Final Word Podcast, saying that the physical toll of ODI cricket was too much for him to bear after he broke his leg in 2022 and was suffering throughout the Champions Trophy in 2025. 

"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how the body was reacting to the conditions," Maxwell said.

"I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. We talked about the 2027 World Cup and 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'. Hopefully, they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.”

Maxwell added that he didn’t want to be selfish to hold up a position in the side when he couldn’t give his 100%, and felt it was the best time to move on, considering the direction taken by the Australian side in preparation for the 2027 World Cup. Notably, Maxwell’s retirement has come on the back of Steve Smith’s retirement, who bid adieu to the format after the loss in the Champions Trophy semifinal this year against India.

“I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons,” the all-rounder added. 

“They are moving in such a clear direction so this give them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is."

Selector George Bailey praised Maxwell’s contribution in Australia’s two World Cup-winning campaigns in the last decade and said that the team is fortunate to still have his services in the T20I format. 

“Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game's most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories," Bailey said.

"His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.

"Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year."

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also thanked him for his contribution to ODI cricket. 

"Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year,” Greenberg said.