Yes, friends, the cricket world has just received some shocking news. One of the world’s top all-rounders and biggest match-winners, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, has announced his retirement from international cricket.
His form had been inconsistent in recent times, with the match-winning knocks becoming less frequent. Now, his retirement brings an end to an international career filled with extraordinary moments. He will continue playing domestic T20 leagues, but fans will miss watching “Maxi’s magic” in Australian colours.
Few Australian all-rounders of his generation could change a match the way Maxwell did. His attacking batting, useful off-spin and outstanding fielding made him one of the most dangerous players in world cricket.
Let us look at his unforgettable innings and the records that make his career so special.
Glenn Maxwell’s Greatest Knock: 201* Against Afghanistan
If one innings stands above everything else in Maxwell’s career, it is his unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Australia were chasing 292 in Mumbai. They slipped to 49/4 and then 91/7. From that position, victory looked almost impossible.
Read alsoTeam India Announced for Asia Cup; Rajat Patidar Returns as Vice-CaptainRajat Patidar returns with a key responsibility as India name their Asia Cup squad. Explore the major selections, full team and match schedule.
What followed was one of the greatest innings cricket has ever seen.
Maxwell smashed 201 not out from 128 ballstaking Australia to an extraordinary three-wicket victory. He struck 21 fours and 10 sixes, but the numbers alone cannot explain what made this innings so remarkable.
He was struggling with severe cramps. During the later stages, he could barely move or run between the wickets. Yet he continued hitting boundaries, relying on his timing, power and extraordinary hand-eye coordination.
Maxwell and Pat Cummins added 202 unbeaten runs for the eighth wicket. Cummins contributed just 12 not out from 68 ballsbut his determination to stay at the crease gave Maxwell the support he needed.
This was a league-stage match, and the victory secured Australia’s place in the semi-finals. They eventually went on to lift the trophy.
For the pressure, physical pain and almost hopeless position from which he won the match, there is a strong case for calling this the greatest ODI innings ever played.
The Last-Ball Rescue Against India
Another unforgettable Maxwell innings came against India in Guwahati in November 2023.
Australia were chasing 223, and Maxwell produced a century from just 47 balls. He finished unbeaten on 104 from 48 deliverieshitting the winning boundary off the final ball.
It was another reminder of why an opposition could never feel safe while Maxwell remained at the crease. Even when the required rate climbed, he had the range of shots to turn the game around.
Read alsoMohammed Amir Will Never Be Able to Play IPL? Check WhyMohammad Amir IPL hopes face scrutiny over his fixing history, with Sreesanth’s experience showing why eligibility does not guarantee a return.
The Manchester Fightback With Alex Carey
Against England in Manchester in September 2020, Australia were struggling at 73/5 while chasing 303.
Maxwell joined Alex Carey and changed the match with 108 from 90 balls. Carey scored 106, and the pair added 212 runs for the sixth wicket.
Australia won by three wickets and sealed the ODI series 2–1. It was another example of Maxwell delivering far more than quick runs: he rescued his team from a major collapse and helped finish a difficult chase.
Glenn Maxwell Records That Define His Legacy
1.A Double Century From No.6
Maxwell’s 201* against Afghanistan made him the first non-opener to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket.
He came in at No.6, a position where a batter usually has fewer deliveries available and often has to manage the lower order.
His innings also set the record for the highest individual score at No.6 or below in men’s ODIssurpassing Kapil Dev’s famous 175* against Zimbabwe in 1983.
A double century from that position remains an extraordinary benchmark.
2.A Historic Double Century While Chasing
The same innings made Maxwell the first batter to score a double century in a men’s ODI run chase.
His unbeaten 201 also set the highest individual score in a men’s ODI second innings, overtaking Fakhar Zaman’s 193 against South Africa.
Read alsoMS Dhoni’s Big Auction Move? CSK Could Release Two Costly SigningsWith the retention deadline approaching, CSK are working on a bold auction strategy. What is behind their thinking ahead of IPL 2027?
3.The Record Partnership With Pat Cummins
Their 202-run unbeaten stand set the men’s ODI record for the eighth wicket.
It also became the highest partnership for any wicket from the seventh onwards in men’s ODIs. The situation makes it even more remarkable: Australia needed 201 more runs when their seventh wicket fell.
4.The Fastest Century in Men’s ODI World Cup History
Against the Netherlands in Delhi during the 2023 World Cup, Maxwell reached his century in just 40 balls.
That remains the fastest hundred in men’s ODI World Cup history. It was also the fastest ODI century by an Australian man.
5.The Fastest Double Century in a Men’s ODI World Cup
Maxwell reached his double century against Afghanistan in 128 ballssetting the men’s ODI World Cup record.
It was not the fastest double century across all men’s ODIs: Ishan Kishan had reached the milestone in 126 balls against Bangladesh.
6.An Exceptional ODI Career Strike Rate
Maxwell finished his ODI career with a strike rate of 126.70.
At the time of his ODI retirement, that was the highest career strike rate among batters with at least 2,000 ODI runs. Sustaining that scoring speed across a substantial career shows how consistently he put bowlers under pressure.
7.Five T20I Centuries
Maxwell scored five T20I centuriessharing the men’s record with Rohit Sharma.
His highest T20I score was 145 not outanother illustration of how destructive he could be when given time at the crease.
8.Runs, Wickets and Catches
Maxwell also completed the combination of 1,000 runs, 50 wickets and 50 catches in T20Is.
This is an all-round milestone rather than a world record held by him alone. It captures the three areas in which he contributed: batting, bowling and fielding.
Glenn Maxwell’s International Career in Numbers
| Format | Matches | Runs | Centuries | Wickets | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 7 | 339 | 1 | 8 | 5 |
| ODIs | 149 | 3,990 | 4 | 77 | 91 |
| T20Is | 130 | 2,897 | 5 | 51 | 62 |
Maxwell gave Australia a player who could attack from unusual positions, provide important overs and create chances in the field. Those contributions deserve to be remembered alongside his spectacular centuries.
For fans who watched him turn 91/7 into a successful World Cup chase while barely able to stand, his place among cricket’s most unforgettable match-winners is secure.
Hats off to the legend.